Kalakad-Mundathurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu

About Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, having an area of 895 sq kilometers, is located in the southern parts of the Western Ghats in the state of Tamil Nadu. The Tiger Reserve is surrounded by forests on three sides, that is west, north, south and villages on the east. Agasthya Malai, the third highest peak in South India is located on the core zone of the Reserve.

The Kalakad-Mundathurai Tiger Reserve forms a catchment area of 14 streams and rivers, some among them are Tambraparani, Manimuthar, Servalar, Kallar, Kodaiyar,Rama Nadi, Kadnar, Pachaiar. Many of these rivers form the backbone of the water supply in the Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi / Tuticorin and the part of Kanyakumari districts. Seven Major Dams have been constructed over some these rivers, namely Karaiyar, Lower Dam, Servalar, Manimuthar, Ramanadi, Kadna Nadi and Kodaiyar

The Tiger reserve is located at a range of altitude of 40 meters to 1800 meters and the highest point Agasthya malai at about 1681 is found in the middle of the Tiger Reserve. Kalakad-Mundathurai Tiger Reserve actually is an inter state one since it connects Tamil Nadu and Kerala

There are about 150 endemic plants . fishes, reptiles, mammal species, amphibians and birds. As per the 1997 census, there are 73 tigers and 70 leopards along with many Jungle Cats, Nilgiri tahrs. Kalakad is well known for Lion tailed monkeys, Elephants and the waterfals. The area is also called as Karungal Desam and Thenga Uruli.

Accommodation facilities at Kalakad-Mundathurai Tiger Reserve
Dormitory style cottages  are available at the Kalakad-Mundathurai Tiger Reserve maintained by the Forest Department. The Tiger Cottage, has a rest room and a few double deck beds. Ample parking place is available for the Cars and Jeeps of the visitors. There is a river flowing by the rear of the cottage and you can have a wonderful experience staying overnight. There is a kitchen also which serves tasty food for the visitors

How to Reach Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve?
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, in the state of Kerala, is the nearest airport located at about 200 kilometers from Mundanthurai and about 140 kilometers from Kalakad.

Madurai Domestic Airport, in the state of Tamil Nadu is at about 200 kilometers from Mundanthurai and 210 kilometers from Kalakad. Madurai Airport is easily connected from Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad , Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode airports.

If you are travelling by rail, Tirunelveli Railway station is the nearest at about 50 kilometers from Mundanthurai and about 45 kilometers from Kalakad.

Best time to travel to Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
December to March is the best season and the reserve will be closed during April to July. Guest house is available at Mundanthurai, Sengaltheri in Kalakad and Kuthiravotti.

Contact for more details
Field Director & Conservator of Forests,
KMTR Project Tiger,
N.G.O ‘A’ Colony,
Tirunelveli - 7,
Tamil Nadu.
Phone No - 0462-552663
E-mail - kmtrpt@sancharnet.in
Website – www.kmtr.org