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Anamalai Tiger Reserve

Anamalai Tiger Reserve (popularly known as the Anamalais) is one of the hot spots of biodiversity in the Western Ghats. The unique ecological tract has an undulating topography and diverse climate variations which supports a wide variety of flora and fauna including many endemics. Tribals in Anamalais form an integral part of the Tiger Reserve. The richness of wildlife in this area is one of the major attractions for a wildlife enthusiast and researchers.

Hill Resort | Elevation | Travel | Season | Tourist places | Accommodation | Location | Map

The Hill Resort

Anamalais is a significant segment of the Western Ghats, which possesses many endemic species and is a unique ecological tract rich in biodiversity. The erstwhile Coimbatore South Division comprising of Anamalais was a model division and training ground for the foresters. The Anamalais, declared as Anamalai Tiger Reserve in 2007, falls within three Taluks of Coimbatore District namely Pollachi. Valparai and Udumalpet with six territorial ranges viz., Pollachi, Valparai, Ulandy, Manambolly, Udumalpet and Amaravathy. The forest tract of Anamalais exhibiting a wide diversity in terrain. Elevation and climate supports diverse vegetation of striking difference. Thus, forest types from luxuriant tropical evergreen forests to thorn forests and scrub jungles are represented here.

Vision

To conserve the biological diversity and ecosystem services of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve for the future.

Mangagement Goals and Objectives

1. To conserve the valuable biodiversity and the natural resources of the reserve for posterity.
2. Protection of Tiger and its eco- predatos and improvement of its prey base
3. To protect, conserve and enrich the vital flora and fauna for long term sustainability with the help of local community 4. Mainstreaming wildlife concerns and fostering corridor Conservation 5. To Protect, conserve and maintain various values of the reserve viz., Biological, Conceptual. Ecological processes and functions, Scientific, Educational, Economic, Historic, Religious and Cultural for the benefit of entire ecosystem.

Location and Geographical Aspects

Location	Coimbatore Dist, TamilNadu
Access	Via Pollachi
Latitude	100 13.2� and 100 33.3�N
Longitude	760 49.3�E and 770 21.4� E
Tiger Reserve Area	958 Sq.Km
National Pare Area	108 Sq Km
1. Karian Shola	05 Sq Km
2. Manjampatty	72 Sq Km
3. Grass Hills	31 Sq Km
Altitude	340 m to 2400 m above sea level
Average Annual Rainfall	500 - 5000 mm
Best Season	Throughtout the year except February - April
Climate	Moderate warm climate almost throughout the year and fairly cold during winter months (November & December)

Hill People

Anamalais is also rich in anthropological diversity with 5 scheduled tribes groups and one Scheduled Caste community living in 33 settlements. The indigenous groups living in Anamalais are the Kadars, Malasar, Malaimalasar, Muduvar, Eravalar and Pulaiyar.

With the Changes in the priorities of forest management and modification brought into their working. The avenues of avocation for the tribal in the forest sector have really shrunk in the last 15 years or so. Their forest dependent lifestyle undergone changes and they are gradually moving towards land based activities with focus on settle agriculture.

Education Status

The tribal groups of Anamalis are seen to be considerably away from the infrastructure for education. The department is taking all efforts to enroll more children from the tribal settlements in the Adi - dravidar and tribal residential schools run by the state.

Health status

Due to the remoteness of the area the tribals do not have basic medical facility in their area. A dispensary is being run by the Forest Department at Topslip for the benefit of tribals from the settlements around. Medical camps are conducted frequently in different location for the tribals.

Employment status

From the status of nomadic hunter gatherer, the ethnic communities in Anamalais have moved further to a settled way of life due to allotments of certain forest areas for cultivation. The tribals are provided employment opportunities on work charged establishment by engaging them as anti poaching watchers. 85 of them get year round employment. Apart from this they are engaged as Eco - watchers, Eco - sanitary watchers, animal trackers, anti depredation watchers, fire watchers guides, Rest House Watchers, Cook assistants. Etc. They also constitute the chief labour force for various plan and non plan works executed in the reserve. Trribals (18 Nos.) are givern permanent appointment as Forest Watchers on regular pay scale in the reserve in relaxation of rules relating to age, educational qualification and physical requirement. 40 Nos. are also working as Mahouts and cavadies in the elephant camps run by this reserve.

Welfare measures

Elephant proof trenches and Solar power fence around the agriculture settlements, drinking water supply, irrigation facilities, repairs to the houses, improvement to roads, Lemongrass oil distillation units, supply of agriculture implements etc. have been provided under various schemes. Relocate outside the reserve with the package amount of Rs. 10.00 lakhs per family. Action has been initiated to implement the scheduled Tribles and other forest dwellers (Recognition of Rights) Act.

Protected Area Management

Anamalai Tiger Reserve requires large forested areas free from fragmentation and degradation for the Elephant the flagship species. Habitat degradation is a serious problem which gets aggravated due to fire, Cattle grazing and weed invasion. An extensive net work of fire lines has been established and fire prevention and protection works are carried out by involving local tribes. Habitat improvement in being carried out by removing exotic weeds and creation of soil and moisture conservation structure and creating water holes to improve prey base which ultimately support the Tiger and its Co-predators.

Anti Poaching measures are given high priority by establishing Anti Poaching Camps by employing young and able tribes located at strategic locations round the clock. In all the Anti poaching Camps, the uniform staff take a turn duty and lead the team. Each Camp is equipped with a Weapon, Walkie - talkie, GPS Unit; Torch light, Kukris etc., Anti Poaching Camp register is being maintained in all camps and details of the perambulation is recorded on daily basis. This has helped in controlling poaching, Ganja Cultivation, Timber smuggling etc.

Population estimation of Wild Fauna

Population estimation is one of the fundamental needs for the management of any species at periodical interval is necessary to understand the demographic changes especially for key species like tiger and elephant under Indian conditions. The population estimate conducted recently revealed that the Anamalais support a viable population of many endangered endemic fauna for their ling term conservation.

Threats (Man Animal Conflict)

Opening of Anamalais to plantation crops in Valparai region to an extent of 200 Sq. Kms has brought in the problem of man - animal conflict to the fore. The alteration of land use from forest to plantations and human settlements, diversion and submergence of forest areas for multipurpose projects resulted in the fragmentation of wildlife habitats including corridor related problems especially for elephants, gaurs, tiger, panther, etc.,

In the recent past the loss of human life or incapacitation of human being, killing of live stock maintained by the people have become a regular feature. Apart from these on there are serious problems of poaching, ganja cultivation, sandalwood felling, fire and tress pass by public.

Conservation Education and Capacity Building

This programme is essential to deals with animal conflict as well as problematic people. These problems have to be dealt by the Foresters and wild lifers sympathetically and firmly. Therefore adequate for all forest staff is considered necessary on all aspects especially training on chemical capturing technique of problem animals. Through this technique few of the problem animals like elephants, Panther and guar have been captured and translocated from one place to another and solved the conflicts. Few such training programmes have already been conducted.

Eco Awareness

Protected area management must have an effective conservation education programme to create eco awareness among people. In Anamalai Tiger Reserve focused attention is being given on programmes such as guided trek along nature trails. Audio - visual shows, eco-campaigns, nature camps, audio player in vehicle safari, interpretative materials etc., in the last few years.

Eco - Development

Eco - Development is a strategy for protecting ecologically valuable areas form unsustainable pressures resulting from needs and actions of people living and around such areas. The guidelines prepared by the ministry of Environment of Forest describes Eco - development as a package of programmes that will demonstrate the concern of the Forest Department for the socio economic development of the fringe of buffer zone villages leading to promotion of co - operation of the villagers in the conservation and management of wildlife. There are 33 Tribal Eco Development Committees existing inside the Tiger Reserve. The process is on for formation of 94 Eco Development Committees in the Buffer Zone.

Organization, Administration and Budget

The existing administrative infrastructure at Pollachi, Topslip, Udumalpet, Amaravathy, Anamalai and Valparai constitute administrative zone.

Since the entire area of 958 Sq .Km has been declared as Tiger Reserve, it is necessary to create Deputy Directors for Core and Buffer zones. The role of D.Ds are implementation of inputs, while ensuring co - ordination with other sector. Wildlife protection would be an overlapping mandate for the entire reserve under the overall control of the Field Director.

As per the provision laid down in the section 38 U (i) of Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2006, the State Government has formed a steering committee. The Tiger conservation Foundation has also been formed with the following committees.

1. Governing body
2. Executive Committee

The plan budget is being forecasted annually required to operate the management plan strategies for the reserve.

Eco Tourism

Regulated, low impact tourism has the potential to be a vital conservation tool as it helps win public support for wildlife conservation. The objective of wildlife tourism is to inculcate amongst the visitors empathy for nature both animate and inanimate and to provide communion with nature rather that aspiring for sighting of a maximum number of animals.

Concentration of tourism at any single point can result in overuse and abuse of the area. Though the best wildlife and forest spots like Topslip, Varagaliar, Valparai, Manambolly, Attakatti, Aliyar, Monkey falls, Thirumoorthy hills and Chinnar are part of the setting, it is only Topslip that is identified and recognized as a tourist centre in Anamalai Tiger Reserve.

The Flora

The floral diversity is enormously rich as the terrain offers a wide range of natural parameters namely topography, Climate, temperature, rainfall etc., The floral wealth has been estimated to be over 2000 species of which about 400 and odd species are of medicinal value. Hence the popularly known Karian Shola area has been indentified as an MPCA (Medicinal Plant Conservation Area)

Forest Types and Habitats Inside

Montane wet Temperate forests (Shola and Grasslands)

Tropical Wet evergreen

Tropical evergreen

Sub - Tropical broad leaved

Tropical semi evergreen

Tropical moist deciduous

Tropical dry deciduous

Tropical dry thorn

The Fauna

The faunal diversity in this Tiger Reserve is also equally rich and it offers the best asylum for many rare and endangered species of birds and mammals.

Birds

Over 320 species of birds have been authentically identified within this reserve and it shows the biological richness of this area.

Aquatic: Cormorant, Ducks, Teal, Darter, etc.,
Terrestrial: Peafowl, Grey Jungle Fowl, Spur Fowl, Partridge, Quail,
Frugivorous: Hornbills, Parakeets, Barbets
Insectivorous: Drongos, Orioles, Shrikes, Warblers, Flycatchers, Wood Peckers, Chloropsis, Trogon
Fish Eaters: Kingfishers, storks, Egrets, Fish Eagle
Birds of Prey: Eagles, Hawks, Harriers, Falcons, Kites
Nocturnal Birds: Srilankan Frog Mouth, Owls, Nightjars, etc.,

Mammals

Felines: Tiger, Panther, Leopard Cat, Rusty Spotted cat, Jungle Cat etc
Canines: Wild Dog, Jackal
Primates: Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Slender Loris Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque
Rodents: Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel Porcupine, Spiny Dormouse, etc
Hoofed Animals: Gaur, Nilgiri Tahr, Samber Deer, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer
Pachyderm: Elephant

Reptiles & Amphibians

Amphibians: Toads, Mircohylids, Leaping frogs, Torrent frogs, Tree frogs
Snakes: King Cobra, Python, Cobra, Krait, Vipers, Flying Snake, etc.,
Tortoises & Turtles: Travancore Tortoise, Flapshells, Star Tortoise, Cane turtle etc
Lizards: Anamalais Spiny Lizard, Flying Lizard, Chameleon, Forest Calottes etc.,

Crocodiles in Captivity

The Crocodile farm at Amaravathy nagar in Amaravathy Range came to be established in 1977 under species specific conservation and recovering programmes arriving at protection of the March Crocodile (Crocodilus polustris). Management of farm was kept up so well that the number of Crocodiles increased over to 500 within a decade of its establishment. Due to the increase, the reintroduction of the species by releasing them into the perennial rivers within the reserve proved to be a success. This farm serves as a centre for conservation education as it attracts large number of visitors.

The Facilities

Rest Houses, Dormitories and Trekking Sheds

S.no	Name	Suits	Range
1	Forest Rest House	2	Ulandy
2	Wood House	2	Ulandy
3	Chital House	2	Ulandy
4	Ambili Illam	4	Ulandy
5	Bison House	5	Ulandy
6	Hornbill House	2	Ulandy
7	Mount Staurt	2	Ulandy
8	Tree Top	2	Ulandy
9	Pillar Top	2	Ulandy
10	Bamboo Hut	1	Ulandy
11	Topslip Dormitory	2	Ulandy
12	Sethumadai Rest House	2	Pollachi
13	Amaravathi Rest House	3	Amaravathi
14	Chinnar Rest House	2	Udumalpet
15	Chinnar Trekking Shed	1	Udumalpet
16	Manomboly Trekking Shed	2	Manamboly
17	Sirukunra Rest House	2	Valparai
18	Upper Aliyar Trekking Shed	2	Valparai

(Topslip Dormitory - 20 Beds & 16 Beds in other places each 2 Beds)

Eco Commandments within the Tiger Reserve Area

Entry in Tiger Reserve with permission during the specified hours only.

Wildlife sighting is a matter of chance. Inform of all sightings and appreciate the habitat also.

Wear dark cloths, if possible, so as to be inconspicuous and merge with the surroundings

Maintain absolute silence during van and Elephant rides for better sighting

Do not kindle fire in the forest and avoid smoking while in the Tiger Reserve

Entry on foot in the jungle is prohibited. Do not get down from the vehicle

Use of spot lights, fast driving, blowing of horn etc., is prohibited

Shouting at, teasing, chasing, or feeding animals is prohibited

Camp fires, music, cooking, littering, use of river for bathing washing and fishing is prohibited

Consumption of alcoholic drinks and carrying of arms in the Tiger Reserve is strictly prohibited

Any Breach of Above prohibitions will Attract Penal Action as per Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Your Role in up Keeping Forest Accommodation

Please keep the rooms and toilets clean and tidy.

Use electricity and water sparingly and as per the necessity

Do not soil or damage the furnishings and fixtures in the rooms and dormitories

Playing of music and musical instruments etc. strictly prohibited

Consumption of alcoholic drinks and smoking is strictly prohibited

Cooking and washing of cloths inside the rooms is strictly prohibited

Please settle all dues and claims before checking out

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Top Slip

Top Slip, also known as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary got its name during British era, as lots of its timber slipped down to the plains below. It has been a national park and a medical plant conservation area at Annamalai hills.

Prior to 1850, timber from the Mount Stuart forests was dragged to Topslip, slipped down the ghat (hence the name "Topslip"). The 'Slip' was just a drag path with poles laid across. With the construction of 10.46 Km long road from Sichali to Topslip by Michael in 1850 the timber was carted along this road to Topslip and then skidded down the ghat to the "Adivaram" by dry slide, carted to Palghat, floated down the Barathapuzha to Ponnai and shipped to the naval yard at Bombay. Timber for Madras arsenal was carted to Vangal near Karur on the Cauvery floated down river to the sea and shipped then. In 1856, Michael also aligned a ghat road to replace the "Slip" which was subsequently constructed by Captain Gosling in 1868, with slight modification, at a cost of Rs. 4,009. This road was used for 56 years until the present ghat road replaces it in 1924.

Though demand for accommodation at Topslip peaks up in the weekends and holidays, facilities are just not enough to meet such peak period demands. Elephants raid and vehicle safari upto elephanat camp at Kozhikamuthi remain the activities that dominate the tourism scenario in Anamalais. Nature walk and trekking activities in the designated areas is emphasized more as it is more eco friendly. Anamalai Tiger Reserve has all the fun and scope for conservation education offer to visitors at Topslip. Apart from vehicle safari, Elephant raid. Trekking activities, and one can engage in the museum, Interpretation centre, Krishnamurthy Gallery, Souvenir Shop etc., at leisure.

The Hill Resort

The 958 km2 "Top Slip" is one of the ever green location in southern India. It's part "Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary (IGWS) " and "Indira Gandhi National Park (IGNP)" which is located in Western Ghats. The area around this panoramic mountain is called "Anamalai" or " Elephant Hills". Top Slip is at an altitude of 800 meters and it's in the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu states. Separated from the Nilgiri Hills by the Palghat Gap on the north, the Park is contiguous to the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) to its west and to the Eravikulam National Park (Kerala) and Chinnar WLS to its south Indira Gandhi national park - a place known for its great swathes of forests and wildlife - birds, butterflies, elephants, sloth bears, leopards, tigers, panthers, gaurs (Indian Bison), dholes (wild dogs), king cobra and the lion-tailed macaques in their natural habitat - all within an area known as Top Slip. Further it's heaven for the bird watchers, botanist, trekkers hikers and natural lovers.

Meaning behind Top Slip

The name top slip comes from the practice carried out in 19th century, of sliding logs of teak timber down the hills that took place in this area. Top Slip is a little hamlet in the Annamalai hills where teak was introduced during the British Raj. In the colonial days, the harvested timber used to be 'slipped' to the plains from the hills through a narrow canal - hence the reason for its name

Camps

Kothalai camp is around 6 Km inside the forest. The charges in this camp are around 1000 for a group of and in addition to it 2 guides and a gunman. 12 kms from the kothalai camp is the kottaivali which also has the same charges as kothalai camp. Both these camps are in karimalai range. Then there is the orukombankutti camp also in the orukomban range. This camp is around 12 kms in the jungle and has the same charges as of the above mentioned two camps. The cheapest camp is however the bison valley lodge which charges only rs 150 per head. There is also a community hall for large groups. This hall can accommodate 30-35 people and per head one has to pay rs 80.it is compulsory to hire a jeep to enter any of these places. While on a visit to Anaimalai these camps are an excellent option to stay. In the midst of the nature these camps prove helpful in bonding one with nature.

Entry formalities

1. If you are visiting the park for the day you can go directly to Top Slip (Entry INR 50). The Sethumadai checkpost is the entry point to IGNP.
2. In case you plan to stay at Top Slip, accommodation must be booked in advance at the: Wildlife Warden Office. ( Open Monday to Friday between 9 am to 5 pm)
3. Park entry time is between 6.30 am and 6 pm.
Park details and tips:
1. Private vehicles can be drive to the park. Top Slip is best enjoyed if a car is hand at all times. However, inside the Top slip you can not use your own vechecle. On the other hand, you can enjoy the transportation facilities from forest department vechcles.
2. It is possible to walk around the park. You must have a Park Guide with you and you are allowed to walk in the park for a maximum of four hours for INR 70 per person.
3. There is provision for a conducted bus ride from the Park Reception Office and riding elephants may also be available.
4. Local food and refreshments are available at the facility run at the Tourist Complex, Top slip. 5. Ticks and leeches can be a serious menace, specially in the summer months. Carry protection and stick to tracks.
6. Many lone male elephants at Top Slip are known rouges, travel on foot with a guide.
7. Accommodation in the Park is very basic and it is best to carry sleeping bags and emergency supplies.
8. A booking at a particular guesthouse may not assure you of accommodation at it. The final allocation decision is left to the Department staff at Top Slip. A provision shop functions near the reception area and reasonably stocked for necessities.
9. Tourism seems to be low priority at this Park - be prepared for inadequate support from Forest Deptt. staff.

Travel Tips

Ticks and leeches can be a serious menace, specially in the summer months. Carry protection and stick to tracks. Many lone male elephants at Top Slip are known as rogues, so one should travel on foot with a guide. Accommodation in the Park is very basic and it is best to carry sleeping bags and emergency supplies. A booking at a particular guesthouse may not assure you of accommodation at it. The final allocation decision is left to the Department staff at Top Slip. A provision shop functions near the reception area and reasonably stocked for necessities. Tourism seems to be low priority at this Park - be prepared for inadequate support from Forest Department staff. The only surefire way to see birds like Wayanad Laughing thrush, Sri Lanka Frogmouth and Oriental bay Owl is with the assistance of local guides. Tell them that you want to see these birds.

Elevation

Topslip - 300 meters

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Location Details

Topslip, a part of Westernghats, is located above 300 meters from the sea level on the Anamalai mountain ranges(Hills of elephants). It is an important tourist centre in Indra Gandhi National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (sanctuary covers 958 Sq.km) in the Coimbatore District of Tamilnadu at the southern part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. BUT there is a pass (Palaghat pass) between Nilgiris and Anamalai ranges. Further Topslip is the only entry point to Parambikulam Wild Life Reserve Forest which comes under the state of Kerala. The nearest access point to Topslip would be Pollachi in Tamilnadu (Pollachi-Topslip about 35 Km).

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How to Reach There and Distances

Note: Two wheelers are allowed till Sethumadai Check post only.

By Air

Chennai and Cochin are the International Airports. Both are connected to Coimbatore by air /train/bus.

Route To Topslip From Pollachi -->Anaimalai -->Vettakkaranpudur-->Sethumadai --> Topslip

Distance Guide from Nearest Towns & Cities to TopSlip

Topslip can be reached by buses and cars From Coimbatore, Pollachi, Palakkad.

Pollachi to Topslip - 39 km by road

Coimbatore to Topslip : 100 km ( Airport and railway station)

Palakkad To Topslip : 98 km by road

Distance Between Topslip & Parambikulam Office head quarters is 4 km

Bus Timing From Pollachi to Topslip & Parambikulam

From Pollach to Parambikulam via Topslip : 6:15 am & 3:15 pm

Parambikulam to Pollachi via Topslip : 8:45 am & 5:45 pm

Pollachi to Topslip : 11:20 am

Topslip To Pollachi : 1: 00 pm

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Best Season to Visit/Weather

The best season to visit is between May to June and October to February.

Off - Season

March/ April to May (Mostly park will be closed). If you are visiting the park for the day you can go directly to Top Slip (Entry INR 50). The Sethumadai check post is the entry point to IGNP. Park entry time is between 6.30 am and 6 pm.

Temperature range Min 2�C (winter); Max 25�C (summer)

Rain fall varies from 500mm to 5000mm ;less on the eastern side and high on the western. So are the forest diversity with its flora and fauna.

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Tourist places near

Top slip Forest

IGNP is an Indomalayan Malabar Rain forest and the Tropical Humid biome comprises primarily of wet evergreen, sub-tropical evergreen, moist deciduous, dry deciduous, semi-evergreen and montane-shola grasslands. The terrain here is thickly wooded hills, plateaus, deep valleys and rolling grasslands. Altitude ranges from 340m to 2,510m and annual rainfall varies between 800 mm to 4500 mm . Both southwest and northeast monsoons occur here.. The area is drained by several perennial and semi-perennial river systems like the Kallar and Sholaiar rivers and contains man-made reservoirs such as Aliyar and Thirumurthy. The main geological formations in the area are hornblende-biotite and garnetiferous biotite gneissus, charnockites and plagiodase porphyry dykes. Soil on the slopes consists of sandy loam.

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary

Named after our beloved but belated Prime minister, this region is also otherwise known as the Anamalai wildlife sanctuary. Located at the heart of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve this region harbors numerous varieties of birds, animals, reptiles and amphibians. A detailed description of the varieties is given below know more...

Medicinal Plants Conservation

There is also is "Medicinal Plants Interpretation Center" at Topslip, the first of its kind in India, cultivates medicinal plants. The center displays information about endangered and endemic medicinal plants and Indian systems of medicine by qualified ayurvedic and siddha vaidyas (doctors).

As a part of in situ conservation strategy for medicinal plants, the Topslip Medicinal plant Conservation Area (MPCA) has been selected as one among the eleven such centers in Tamil Nadu which forms part of Medicinal Plants Conservation Area network created by FRLHT in the Southern states. Medicinal Plants Conservation Area of Topslip encompassing the entire Karian Shola National Park represents Wet evergreen Forest type which is know for many endangered, endemic, rare and threatened species of flora and fauna. The Topslip MPCA a hot spot for biodiversity remains unexplored fully.

To meet the conservation objectives of the programme demo garden and interpretation centre and a nature trail have been formed in the MPCA. The demo garden named as "Agasthiar Vanam" has live display of several rare flora of Topslip and other MPCA. The nature trails lead us in Karian Shola through the tall, lofty and magnificent evergreen trees with stream and small bridge

Hugo Wood's Grave (MT. Stuart block)

Though several persons including Caption Hamilton, Douglas, Lushington and Fischer had pioneered the attempt in natural regeneration of teak in clear felled ares of deciduous forests of Mount Stuart and Ulandy Valley between 1856 and 1915, they largely met with failures for various reasons.

Hugo wood did not believe his predecessors in regenerating teak naturally. His experiments near Mount Stuart bungalow and in the Ulandy Valley in 1916 and 1917 proved that teak plantation could be raised successfully from seed source and at a reasonable cost. Subsequently, Hugo Wood as the Working plan Officer for this area advocated "Concentrate artificial regeneration" of teak at 25 acres per annum after eradicating Lantana from the area for the period 1919 till 1937.

The early plantations raised by him during 1916 - 17 near the Mount Stuart forest bungalow encircles the grave of the author of those plantations today. An area of four chains long and three chains wide symmetrically round the grave of the late Hugo Wood in the 1916 teak plantation, below the Mount Stuart Bungalow had been demarcated as permanent preservation plot in his honour. The peculiarity of the memorial has been that the new interstate political boundary between Tamil Nadu and Kerala runs through this plot with the reorganization of states in 1956.

MT.Stuart block can be reached at about 3 km from Topslip. It has an ancient forest bungalow along with the grave of Hugo Wood. Hugo Wood was a british officer with an environmental conscience apparently because he seemed to have made sure that a sapling must be planted for every tree that is chopped off. Well if you did look around and possibly sight him after all these years do say hello.. After all a touch of mystique would make your adventure all the more wholesome! However what he meant is that he is eternal thru the living trees which were once his saplings!

The monument continues to be one of the unique sites in the annals of Anamalais so much so, each of the training batch of Forest Guards, Foresters, Rangers, SFS and IFS probationers never miss the opportunity to visit this legendary spot which reads as "SI Munumentum Requires Circumspice" meaning "If you want to see me look around" What an inspiring message.

Apart from the dead Mr. Wood and living woods, the area is inhabited by very much live bears So you may possibly spot a few.

Kolikamuthi Elephant Camp

This is a camp constructed exclusively for elephants. They are trained and housed here. There are about 50 malaisar tribe families lodged in this area. They are professional elephant trainers and it seems as if their enigmatic skills come with the genes.

But the problem is in getting permission to visit the camp. Since it is pretty exclusive you will have to hire a government jeep to reach there and to do that you will have to get clearance from the Indira Gandhi wildlife Sanctuary Rangers... who aren't known to be benevolent as far as clearances are concerned because their priority is forest and environment.

Varagalliar Elephant Camp

The Varagaliar Elephant Camp is in as remote of an area as is possible. It is located right on the fringe of the core forest. 21 domesticated elephants claim this camp as home. These elephants have not been trained to be used with tourists. Instead, these elephants are primarily used to assist with any conflicts that occur between wild elephants and man in the nearby Valparai Plateau. At this location it is becoming more and more common for elephants to intrude on tea gardens. It is very rare for someone to receive permission to visit this particular elephant camp. If permission is to be obtained, you must talk with the Deputy Conservator of Forests. Only a forest jeep can get you into this remote location.

This camp lodges the 21 elite commandos responsible for the security of the tea gardens and from elephant related conflicts in the nearby Valparai plateau. The commando force comprises not of highly trained army corps but highly trained and elite elephants. Situated at the Extreme core of the forest, access to this camp is literally impossible unless you get the nod from the Deputy Conservator of Forests.

Tribal Settlement Around Topslip

There also exist tribal settlements within the sanctuary-the Kadar settlement of Erumaparai is located 1.5 km from Topslip, and the elephant camp at Varagaliar is inhabited mainly by Malasars and Pulayars. The 2 sites are 23 km apart by road. These Dravidian tribes are very much attached to their social tradition and systems are abided by all village. Society has important role to deal with the disputes. They are traditionally hunter gathers. Speak poor (early stage) language of Tamil and Malayalam mix. Possess good knowledge of forest medicine but keep them secret. These Malasars religiously attached to spirits and worship Vana Devata (forest god). Yearly two times they worship in the same time they also punish the god for any unwanted happening in the village by getting rid of the deity and change the place of idol. That way even God is accountable. During rituals they get in contact with spirits for communication and dance. Main traditional dance is Kummi attam (Similar to this dance also is popular in Tamilnadu and Kerala) view the clip by clicking woman with child photo. Women too participate in all social gatherings and rituals. Traditionally, marriage with other community is discouraged.

Trekking

If you are an amateur but passionate when it comes to trekking then Anamalai hills are your undeniable choice. These hills would be your customized platform for entry level trekking. You will have different options as far as the routes are concerned categorized under easy and difficult.

They can start off with a few simple treks such as

Pandaravara - 8 km and Kozhikamuthu- 12 km.

As for expert trekkers, Perunkundru at 32 km will be more than a match.

Various other trekking ranges such as

Kolambumalai- 10 km,
MT. Stuart- 10 km.
Ambuli watch - 6 km.
Kozhikammuthy -12 km .
Karian Shola - 4 km are also available.

The routes simple or difficult, near or far have five common factors:

Beauty

Tranquility

Green

Suspense

Thrill

Elephant Safari:

Then this is something your kids might love. In fact this can be fun for just about anybody. Take an Elephant Safari along with your family into the jungle for around 40 minutes and have a blast of a time.

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Accommodation and Hotels at Topslip

There are Forest Rest Houses at Topslip Varagaliar, Amaravathi, Sethumadai. The Public Works Department (PWD) Rest houses at Udumalpet and Amaravathi, Electricity Board (TNEB) Rest House at Attakatti. Alternatively, one could stay at Pollachi or Coimbatore where there are several places to stay and make day trips to Top Slip.