Pampadum Shola National Park Located in the eastern part of Southern Western Ghats, the park is located at a distance of around 35 km from Munnar. the name 'Pampadum Shola' literally means ‘the forest where the snake dances’. Declared as a National Park in 2004, it is spread over 11.753 sq.kms.
Pampadum Shola National Park is the smallest national park in Idukki district of Kerala. It is on the border with Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. The park is administered by the Kerala Department of Forests and Wildlife, Munnar Wildlife Division, together with the nearby Mathikettan Shola National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kurinjimala Sanctuary. It is a part of Palani hills stretched up to Vandaravu peak. The Westerns Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including these parks, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.
There are amazing trekking trails in the forests of the park. A trekking route to Vattavada will give us a glimpse of the most beautiful parts of the beautiful forests. The lush green hills, blue mountains and stunted trees of the Shola forest will be an experience of a lifetime.
Flora
The park preserves a moderate amount of montane evergreen shola forest associated with the wildlife-rich Eravikulam National Park. There are various types of medicinal plants (herbs), of which studies have been made. the park is host to 22 species of trees. 74 species of herbs and shrubs and 16 species of climbers.
Fauna
The keystone species here is the highly elusive and endangered, endemic small carnivore – the Nilgiri marten. Leopards and Indian wild dogs are sometimes sighted at dusk or dawn, tigers are an important animal of the park. The Old Kodaikanal–Munnar Road nearby is closed due to the growing population of wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, lion tailed macaque, gaur and Nilgiri langurs.
Some of the notable birds found here include: The Nilgiri wood-pigeon, white-bellied shortwing, vernal hanging parrot, blue rock-thrush, blue-capped rock-thrush and Nilgiri flycatcher, and black-and-orange flycatchers.
This thick green forest is situated almost 35 km away from Munnar, towards the road to Koviloor and Vattavada. The adjacent villages beyond the National Park are Urkkad, Vattavada, Koviloor, and Kottakamboor, with its rich vegetable cultivations.
The forest department does not run any safaris inside Pampadum Shola National Park. But there are Ecotourism facilities which include Trekking and night camping. Best time to visit this place January to March.
Location: Near Vattavada, Devikulam taluk, Idukki district, Kerala, South India
Entry Fee: For Indians – INR 65 per person
For Foreign nationals – INR 250 per person
Trekking in Pambadum Shola National Park
There are several trekking trails. Trekking timings are from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The duration for the trek is 3 hours.
How to Reach Pambadum Shola National Park
By road: You can hire a private or public vehicle or drive your vehicle to Pampadum Shola. The nearest town is Munnar, about 35 km away. You need to take the Kochi – Kodaikanal highway to reach the park.
By railways: The nearest railway stations are Aluva and Udumalpet, about 180 km and 110 km respectively. Both are located in Tamil Nadu.
By air: The nearest airports are Cochin International Airport and Coimbatore International Airport in Tamil Nadu, about 170 km and 160 km respectively.