The recent news of landslides occurring in the Nayamakkad tea estate at Pettimudy, a spot approximately 30 km from Munnar, Kerala and adjacent to the Eravikulam National Park (ENP), has garnered significant attention. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the ENP and its characteristics, as well as an exploration into the causes and consequences of landslides.
Features of Eravikulam National Park
ENP is situated in the High Ranges or Kannan Devan Hills in the Southern Western Ghats, specifically in the Devikulam Taluk of Idukki District, Kerala. The park spans an impressive 97 square km and is home to South India’s tallest peak, Anamudi, which stands at 2695 m and is located in the southern part of the park. The Rajamalai region of ENP remains open to the public for recreational activities and tourism.
Historical Overview of the Park
In 1971, the Government of Kerala took possession of the area from the Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company via the Kannan Devan Hill Produce (Resumption of lands) Act. The area was subsequently declared as the Eravikulam-Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary in 1975 before being designated as a National Park in 1978.
The Topography of ENP
The central section of ENP is characterized by a tall, rolling plateau with varying elevations, starting from around 2000 m from mean sea level. The park houses three main types of plant communities: Grasslands, Shrub Land, and Shola Forests. The park stands out as the most extensive and least disturbed section of unique Montane Shola-Grassland vegetation within the Western Ghats.
Flora and Fauna
ENP is known for the unique Neelakurinji flowers (Strobilanthes kunthianam) that bloom once every 12 years, with the next bloom expected in 2030. Additionally, the park hosts a collection of rare land and epiphytic orchids and wild balsams. The fauna of the park is quite diverse featuring the largest viable population of endangered Nilgiri Tahr, as well as lesser-known species like Nilgiri Marten, Ruddy Mongoose, Small Clawed Otter, and Dusky Striped Squirrel.
Significance and Proximity
ENP plays a significant role in both local and regional ecology. Regionally, it serves as a catchment area for east and west-flowing rivers. Locally, it helps maintain the climate and provides drinking water and irrigation resources for neighboring estates. The park shares its boundaries with neighboring Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Anamudi Shola National Park, Pampadum Shola National Park, Kurinjimala Sanctuary, and Anamalai Tiger Reserve.
Landslides: Causes and Consequences
A landslide is defined as the downward movement of a mass of rock, earth, or debris along a slope. This is considered a type of ‘mass wasting’, a geomorphic process denoting any down-slope movement of soil and rock influenced directly by gravity. Landslides are frequently caused by slow weathering of rocks and soil erosion, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. Asia suffers the most damage due to landslides, with South-Asian nations including India being severely impacted.
