The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Western Ghats, just south of the Palakkad Gap. Previously known as the Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, it spans an area of 958sq km and consists of hilly tracts, with vegetation varying according to the altitude. As the height increases, grasslands and shola forests replace the rainforests.
The sanctuary, notified in 1976, is spread over the Pollachi, Udu-malpet and Valparai taluks in Coimbatore District. About 108sq km of grasslands was declared as a national park in 1989, and is known as the Grass Hill National Park. The sanctuary is an important watershed area for Coimbatore and Erode districts. The perennial rivers that originate here feed major reservoirs such as Amaravathy, Parambikulam, Aliyar, Thirumurthi, Upper Aliyar, Kadambarai and Sholayar.
With its rich flora and fauna, the sanctuary is considered one of the most promising sites for long-term conservation of several rare, endemic and endangered species of animals and plants. It boasts of over 2,000 species of plants, of which about 400 are of medicinal value.
ORIENTATION
The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary forms part of a larger conservation area and runs contiguous with the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (to its west), and the Eravikulam National Park and the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary to its south. Top Slip, its main tourist area, is located in the northwest corner. Its name was derived from a practice followed during the time of British rule, when the timber harvested from the forest was slipped down a canal from the hills to the plains below.
The Ulandi Range is in the same area as Top Slip, while the Valparai Tea Estate is to the southwest of the sanctuary. The Grass Hill National Park is to the south of the sanctuary. Beyond that is Amaravathy (south-east corner of the park). Aliyar is to the northwest of the sanctuary. Forest rest houses are spread on all corners of the park, though a cluster is to be found in the Top Slip area.
The Nilgiri Tahr
The Nilgiri tahr (Hemitragus / Nilgiritragus hylocrius), as well as the two other tahr species in the world (Himalayan tahr and Arabian tahr), are members of the Bovidae family of cloven-hoofed mam-mals that include cattle, goats, sheep and antelope. The Nilgiri tahr is a stocky creature with a short, coarse coat and a bristly mane a few centimetres long. Males are bigger than the females – a fully-grown adult male stands about 100cm at the shoulder and can weigh upto 100kg. Both sexes have horns curving backwards. In the males, the horns can grow to about 40cm in length. The adult males have an overall deep brown colour except for their grizzled white lower backs and sides.
The Nilgiri tahr is found only in the Western Ghats in south India, usually at altitudes of over 1,200m in the grassy highlands along the crest of the hill range. Although believed to have been found over much of the Western Ghats, today it is spotted only in certain areas in the Nilgiri hills, Annamalai hills and in some other pockets of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Located at an altitude of 740m, the Top Slip tourism zone is best approached by bus or taxi from Pollachi, 40km south of Coimbatore. Obtain your entry and accommodation permits en route from the Wildlife Warden’s office at Pollachi; alternatively, if you are making just a day-trip to Top Slip, get your permit at the checkpost at the sanctuary entrance at Sethumadai.
The 36-km long trip from Pollachi to Top Slip is through a picturesque setting of villages, fields and coconut plantations, which eventually give way to forested hilly tracts.
◆ Entry ₹20 Photography Still ₹50; Video ₹200 Guide fee ₹100 for 3hrs
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
If you are on a three to four-day trip, you can explore it on foot, on elephant back or on the tourist bus. Carry binoculars, field guides about plants, mammals and birds, basic medicines, dull-coloured clothing, including a few warm clothes (it can get quite cold at times), and a torch. If you are making a trip in the monsoon, be prepared for leeches (salt can wean the leeches off).
Hiking & Bus Tours
Walking is an excellent way to explore the sanctuary at a leisurely pace. The cool weather and picturesque landscape make for delightful walks. It is compulsory for hikers to be accompanied by a guide. They are locals and charge about ₹100 for a three-hour-long trek. If there are more than four in your group, you will need to hire one more guide. The treks have to be booked at the reception centre and can be planned for early mornings or afternoons, between 6.00am and 6.00pm. Bus rides into the sanctuary leave in the mornings and afternoons from the reception centre.
◆ Trekking permit fee ₹1,000–1,500 for 5 pax (2hrs) Bus fare ₹120 Timings 7.00am–5.30pm
WHERE TO STAY
There are a number of forest rest houses (FRHs) in the sanctuary; some of them have hot water and provision for meals. For booking any of the FRHs or trekking sheds, get in touch with theReception Centre.
In Sethumadai
Cotsvilla Resort (Cell: 09965463242; Tariff: ₹3,000–3500) is a beautiful property. They organise sightseeing and trekking tours.
In Top Slip
FRHs in and around Top Slip include: the Chital Lodge (Tariff: ₹1,500), which has two suites, and attached baths. Wood House (Tariff: ₹1,500), with two suites, attached bath and hot water; Ambuli Illam (Tariff: Rs. 1500), with four suites; Bison Lodge (Tariff: ₹500), with four suites, canteen, and attached bath. A cook is available at all three FRHs to take care of meals. Hornbill Rest House was undergoing renovation at the time of going to print. All these are in the Top Slip area, as is the dorm with 36 beds (₹500 per person). It has a canteen. Further ahead of Top Slip, in the Manambolly Range, is a trekking shed (Tariff: ₹250) with two rooms. It’s near the Sholayar Power Project. The caretaker can arrange food. Only solar electricity is available here.
In Amaravathy
There’s an FRH (Tariff: ₹1,500) here with two suites and attached baths. The caretaker here can arrange for food. For bookings, contact DFO, Amravathy Range (Tel: 04252-256055). There’s also a PWD Rest House (Tariff: ₹200) at Amaravathy Nagar with three rooms, where the caretaker can prepare food.
WHERE TO EAT
If you are staying at any of the forest rest houses in the Ulandi Range, you can have your meals at the Top Slip canteen that’s run by the Staff Welfare Association. They offer hot meals at specified times – as it is the only place to eat in Top Slip. Book your meal in advance and make sure you turn up on time.
Simple vegetarian food, consisting of sambhar/ dal with rice, rasam, vegetable stew, plain parathas with vegetable curry, dosa, medu vada and idli-sambhar, is served. You can also buy snacks (biscuits, chocolates, chips, savouries), cold drinks and bottled water at the canteen. The Ambuli Illam Rest House is 2km away from the reception centre.
FAST FACTS
When to go June–September and November–December are the best time to spot wildlife. The sanctuary is shut from 15 February–15 April
Wildlife/ Forest Dept office
Chief Conservator, 365/ 1
Meenkarai Road
Pollachi
Tel: 04259-225356
Reception Centre
Pollachi
Tel: 238360
STD code Pollachi 04259
State Tamil Nadu
Location Astride the Annamalai Hills on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border, just south of the Palakkad Gap, in Coimbatore District
Distance 76km S of Coimbatore, 36km S of Pollachi
Route from Coimbatore NH209 to Pollachi; Pollachi-Parambikulam State Highway to Top Slip via Sethumadai
GETTING THERE
Air Nearest airport: Coimbatore Airport (76km/ 2hrs). Taxi fare to Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is ₹10–14 per km. From Coimbatore, buses leave for Pollachi every 15mins
Rail Nearest railhead: Pollachi (36km/ 1hr). Taxi fare to sanctuary is ₹10–14 per km approx. Buses leave the Pollachi Bus Terminus for Top Slip three times a day
Road NH209 Bus Buses available for Top Slip from Coimbatore; alterna-tively, hire a 4WD and negotiate the price beforehand