September 03, Saturday
The 97 sq km park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. But the biggest attraction here though is the Nilgiri Tahr, which is categorized as 'endangered' by the International Union of Conservation of Nature.
There are about 700 to 800 of them in the Eravikulam National Park, making it the largest wild population in the world, says a note at the park.
From the high altitude, we get a fabulous view of a wide expanse of greenery.
NEELAKURINJI
This is another attraction of Munnar. It's flowering shrub unique to the Western Ghats. Known by its botonical name, Strobilanthes kunthiana, Neelakurinji, has only chance to reproduce in its life cycle.
After flowering and seed dispersal happens only once in 12 years. After flowering and seed dispersal, the plants perish. But the seeds germinate and the plant grows for 12 years until it blooms again. When that happens, it's blue carpet of Neelakurinji everywhere in Munnar.
It bloomed last last year, that's 2021. But because of Covid, Munnar was closed to tourists. We have to now wait for 2033 for the plant to bloom.
TEA MUSEUM
Munnar is synonymous with tea plantations which we find all over the place. After the national park we went to the Tea Museum. It was set up by the Tatas in 2005. It gives you a good idea of the history of tea plantations in Munnar and also of the role played by the Tatas.
There is a live demonstration factory where we can see how tea leaves are processed and converted into tea powder.
SPICE GARDEN
This was the day's final destination. It's in Kallar. There is a six acre farm where medicinal plants and trees are grown. Visitors are taken around a garden where these plants are grown. There is a guide who will explain the medicinal properties of various plants. There is also a retail outlet where many herbal medicines are sold. They say the formulations are pure and contain no additives.
Tomorrow we are hoping to do some trekking.
Interesting blog,waiting fore more
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteAnother delightful day of roaming... and I wonder again at the flow of things that brings something to notice in bunches. Having only earlier today learned about the Tahr, there you are mentioning it! Had never seen the word before now. I love that you got to see the animal itself. YAM xx
Wow, you've been busy.
ReplyDeleteHi Pradeep - this does sound like a lovely trip up into the mountains ... and oddly like Yam - I'd noticed the Tahr ... so it was interesting to see you'd been to find them. Then the Neelakurinji - beautiful colour, but more importantly what an amazing plant - evolution is quite extraordinary.
ReplyDeleteThe tea museum must be fascinating to see the history ... while that Spice Garden - oooh I'd love to visit that!!
Enjoy the trekking ... looking forward to hearing about it - cheers Hilary
Hi Pradeep - I've seen mountain goats at the zoo, but had never heard of Nilgiri Tahr before. It sounds like a really interesting day out with plenty of variety involved.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had seen that Tea museum.. somehow we missed it twice.
ReplyDeleteWow, how amazing! I don't know how you managed to see all that in one day, but it must have been a lot of fun. It's too bad that COVID shut things down and spoiled the chance to see the Neelakurinji.
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish I could have tagged along. Every aspect of this day looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I am sorry to have missed so many posts! It's been a busy spring and summer here, sure, but this lapse is shocking. It will take me a while to catch up.
Best wishes.
I am glad you and your friend are enjoying Munnar. I did not know about the Tea Museum until I read here.
ReplyDelete