Nestled in the Western Ghats mountain range of Kerala lies the verdant Ponmudi hills, enveloped in scenic natural beauty. Pristine and untouched, Ponmudi translates to “Golden Peak”, aptly named for the gorgeous vistas it offers at an altitude of 1100 metres.
- Home to exotic flora like orchids and rare fauna like the endangered Lion Tailed Macaque, the hills and their biodiversity have been protected by their inclusion in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve.
- The cool and misty hill station provides a haven for trekkers and nature enthusiasts who revel in the solitude and tranquillity that abounds in Ponmudi’s forests and grasslands.
- With its rich wildlife and endemic species, the eco-sensitive region presents great scope for scientific exploration to better understand its ecological wealth.
Location and Geography
- Located about 45 km north-east of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Part of Western Ghats mountain range
- Altitude ranges from 100m to 1550m above sea level
- Encompasses area of approximately 9 sq km
- Terrain consists of hills, ravines and narrow valleys
Significance as Biodiversity Hotspot
Ponmudi is an ecologically sensitive zone with tropical forests:
- Home to rare species of orchids, flowers like rhododendron, cycas
- Threatened fauna recorded – lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, gaur etc.
- Over 200 species of birds like grey jungle fowl, white bellied blue flycatcher etc.
- Medicinal plants like bharangi, chittaratha also found
- Classified as Important Bird Area by Bombay Natural History Society
Conservation Initiatives
- Ponmudi falls under territorial division Periyar East Wildlife Sanctuary
- Visitor entry regulated through designated gates
- Plastic ban enforced; building construction prohibited
- Rivers like Kanjirapuzha flowing nearby protected from pollution
Recent Developments
- New ecological informatics repository inaugurated in 2023 to digitally record endemic flora and fauna
- Tribal settlement relocation proposal mooted to lower human pressure
- Rs 5 crore project approved for restoration of existing trekking trails
Highlights on Ponmudi Hills
| Parameter | Statistics |
| Total Area | Over 9 sq kms |
| Altitude Range | 100 m to 1550 m |
| Major Habitats | Tropical Evergreen Forests, Montane Shola Forests |
| Species Diversity | Orchids, Medicinal Plants Over 200 Birds |
Reasons for Being in News
Ponmudi hills were highlighted recently as:
- Site of India’s first Seedball Garden Project announced in Jan 2023 for afforestation drives leveraging aerial seeding
- Location of Kerala government’s ambitious Eco-restoration Conclave 2023 to devise forest management policies
- Base point for women empowerment and self help group initiatives like plant nursery operations
Environmental Issues
- Ponmudi has been facing threats from soil erosion, landslides and habitat loss over the past few years.
- In July 2022, major landslides were reported from areas connecting Ponmudi resulting in destruction of vegetation after heavy rains.
- A December 2022 survey by Kerala State Biodiversity Board revealed significant decline in wildlife including rare lion-tailed macaques over the past decade due to reducing forest cover.
Conservation Action Plan
- In September 2022, the Kerala Forest Department kickstarted a ₹300 crore project to conserve endangered species through habitat revival and sustainable eco-tourism initiatives.
- Sterlite Technologies piloted an aerial afforestation drive in January 2023 by planting 50,000 seedballs using drones leading to first Seedball Park in India.
- Restricted tourism activity period extended from Jan 2023 to allow habitat stabilization during breeding season of endangered species.
Empowerment Initiatives
- Kerala Police’s Janamaithri Suraksha Project launched Ponmudi Hill Trail in 2022 manned by women tribal volunteers to assist lady tourists.
- A 15-member women-run nursery inaugurated in December 2022 for supplying saplings leveraging self-help group Aurela in line with UNDP model.
- Kerala Kudumbashree Mission imparted eco-tourism training to 45 tribal youths from regions surrounding Ponmudi Hills in August 2022 for nature guide roles.
The lush greenery and exotic charm of Ponmudi beckons nature lovers and bird watchers alike. However maintaining its pristine vista by finding balance between conservation needs and development aspirations remains vital going forward through participative policies benefitting wildlife and indigenous tribes alike. With latest initiatives leveraging technology for ecological revival, the sights of Ponmudi would endure to entrance for posterity.
