Thommankuthu Waterfall, Thommankuthu, Kerala

Thommankuthu Waterfall, Thommankuthu, Kerala

Thommankuthu Waterfall is a natural waterfall located in Thommankuthu Village near Thodupuzha Town in Thodupuzha Taluk in Idukki District in Kerala, India. It is a popular tourist spot in the state and one of the major centers of eco-tourism in Kerala. It comes under Kerala Forest Department, Kothamangalam Division, Kaliyar Range.

Legends

As per local folklore, a tribal leader named Thomman (Thumban), drowned in the waterfalls while attempting to cross the river. Thus, the waterfall came to be called Thommankuthu (Kuthu means waterfall).

The Waterfall

It is a series of waterfalls on Kannadiyaru River situated in a forest in the southern part of Western Ghats mountain range. It is a series of 12 falls scattered over a distance of 5 kilometres. The waterfalls can be reached with a 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) trek through the surrounding forests. The names of some of the waterfalls are Thommankuthu, Ezhunilakuthu, Thenkuzhikuthu, Chekuthankuthu, Palunkankuthu, Kudachiyarkuthu, Muthikuthu, Nakkayankuthu, Thekkanthonikuthu and Koovamalakuthu. 

All the falls are cascade type waterfalls with a pool below them. The height and volume of the falls varies, and each has its own distinct charm. Of these 12 waterfalls, three of them are considered important. The first waterfall, Thommankuthu is at about 600 metres from the entrance, the next waterfall, Papanasam is situated at about 1 Km from the first waterfall and the third waterfall is called Ezhunilakuthu. There are few waterfalls above the Ezhunilakuthu, but it is not advisable to visit as it requires difficult trekking and also requires permission from the forest department.

There are entry fees to visit this waterfall. There is an interpretation center explaining the details about the flora and fauna of the surrounding forests. There is a watchtower for bird watching in the forest. The best time to visit this waterfall is from June to November. The Eco Tourism Centre provides trekking facilities for the tourists. There are almost seven caves in Thommankuthu along the river namely Plapothu, Palunkan Allu, Muthimukk Allu, Maakkal Allu, Adappan, Manthikaanam and Arakan.

Contact

Kerala Forest Department,

Eco tourism Centre,

Thommankuthu – 685 581,

Thodupuzha Taluk,

Idukki District,

Kerala, India

Phone: +91 485 282 2317

Mobile: +91 85476 01306

Connectivity

The waterfall is located at about 2 Kms from Thommankuthu Junction, 9 Kms from Vannappuram, 10 Kms from Karimannur, 18 Kms from Paingottoor, 20 Kms from Thodupuzha, 20 Kms from Thodupuzha Bus Stand, 44 Kms from Idukki, 60 Kms from Piravom Road Railway Station and 66 Kms from Kochi Airport. The waterfall can be reached from Thodupuzha via Karimannur.

Location

Adyanpara Waterfall, Kurmbalangodu, Kerala

Adyanpara Waterfall, Kurmbalangodu, Kerala

Adyanpara Waterfall is a natural waterfall located in Kurmbalangodu Village near Nilambur Town in Nilambur Taluk in Malappuram District in Kerala, India. This waterfall is of a natural cascading style as the waterfall descends over the rock. It is a seasonal waterfall, and the water flow is low during the summer. The waterfall forms a small pool in a few places after descending down the rock. These pools are suitable for taking a bath. It is surrounded by dense forests. Adyanpara Weir is situated near to this waterfall.

Connectivity

The waterfall is located at about 14 Kms from Nilambur, 16 Kms from Nilambur New Bus Stand, 16 Kms from Nilambur Old Bus Stand, 16 Kms from Nilambur Road Railway Station, 52 Kms from Gudalur, 53 Kms from Malappuram, 58 Kms from Kozhikode Airport and 75 Kms from Kozhikode. The waterfall is situated at about 14 Kms to the north of Nilambur on the Kozhikode to Gudalur route.

Location

Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh

Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh

Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary located near Sardarpur Town in Sardarpur Taluk in Dhar District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. This sanctuary is home to the highly endangered Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica, known locally as Kharmor (Grass Peacock). It is also one of the breeding habitats of Lesser Florican in India.

History

The sanctuary was established in 1983 on the recommendations of the renowned Indian ornithologist, Salim Ali for the protection of the critically endangered Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indica). A survey was conducted during 1981 by P. M. Lad, the then Director, Van Vihar, Bhopal, and later Conservator of Forests, on the recommendation of Salim Ali. During this survey, it was found that the Lesser Florican is present in around 14 villages in Sardarpur Taluk in Dhar District.

The Sanctuary

The sanctuary covers an area of about 348 sq kms. The sanctuary comprises a mosaic of grasslands and agricultural fields, providing crucial breeding and nesting grounds for the Lesser Florican during its breeding season from June to November.

Flora:

This sanctuary is part of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion. The sanctuary is dominated by the grass species Sehima nervosum-Chrysopogon fulvus type. Other grass species found in the sanctuary are Heteropogon contortus, Apluda mutica, Cymbopogon martinii, Aristida funiculata, genera Brachiaria, Eragrostis, Dicanthium, Digitaria, Setaria, Bothriocloa and Pseudoanthistiria. The trees found in the sanctuary are Tectona grandis, Shorea robusta, Prosopis chilensis, Zizyphus jujuba, Acacia catechu and Butea monosperma. 

Fauna:

This sanctuary is home to the highly endangered Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica, known locally as Kharmor (Grass Peacock). The Lesser Florican is seen only during the breeding season. It arrives at the onset of monsoon by the end of June or beginning of July, and leaves by the end of October or in November. Some of the birds apart from the Kharmour found in the sanctuary are Eagles, Hawks, Vultures, Indian Roller, Common Hoopo, Painted Stork, Sarus Crane, Indian Peafowl and parakeets. The animals found in the sanctuary are Golden Jackal, Indian Fox, and Common Langur.

Connectivity

The sanctuary is located at about 1 Km from Sardarpur Bus Stand, 4 Kms from Rajgarh, 4 Kms from Rajgarh Bus Stand, 40 Kms from Dhar, 76 Kms from Barnagar Railway Station, 100 Kms from Indore Airport, 125 Kms from Ujjain, and 289 Kms from Ahmedabad. This sanctuary is situated close to Sardarpur on Indore to Ahmedabad road.

Location

Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh

Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh

Bori Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in Narmadapuram District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. It is situated in the northern foothills of the Satpura Range and is part of the Satpura tiger reserve. The sanctuary derives its name from the Bori River. It has the distinction of being the first forest reserve declared in India.

History

The wildlife sanctuary was established in 1977. This sanctuary includes the one of the oldest forest reserves of India called Bori Reserve Forest. This reserve forest was established in 1865 CE along the Tawa River.

The Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary covers an area of about 646 sq kms (249 sq mi). It is situated in the northern foothills of the Satpura Range. It is bounded by the Satpura National Park to the north and east, and by the Tawa River to the west. The sanctuary, together with Satpura National Park and the Pachmarhi Sanctuary, forms the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. This sanctuary is part of Satpura tiger reserve. Several streams and rivulets of the Bori and Sonbhadra rivers provide water inside the sanctuary.

The terrain varies from steep slopes in the east to plain or undulating land in the west. This sanctuary was selected for the famous project of Barasingha relocation in which Madhya Pradesh Forest department is trying to make new homes for hard-ground Barasingha, apart from Kanha national park. The best time to visit this sanctuary is during the months of October to June.

Flora:

The sanctuary is mostly covered in mixed dry tropical deciduous and bamboo forests, part of the Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests ecoregion. It is an important transition zone between the forests of western and eastern India. The dominant trees species in this sanctuary are teak, dhaora, tendu, axel wood, bael, kadam, rosewood tree, temburini, java plum, etc. The reserve has over 1300 species of plants including several medicinal plants and rare mosses along with some water fern species. This sanctuary lies in the teak and sal transition zone.

Fauna:

There are about 25 species of mammals found in this sanctuary. The mammals found in the sanctuary are tiger, leopard, jackal, striped hyena, Indian wild dog, chausingha, wild boar, muntjac deer, nilgai, chevrotain, chinkara, gaur, chital deer, sambar, flying squirrel, tree shrew, common mongoose, Indian palm civet, small Indian civet, jungle cat, Bengal fox, Indian porcupine, and rhesus macaques. There are about more than 230 species of birds found in this sanctuary. Some of the birds found in the sanctuary are Malabar Pied Hornbill, Gyps, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Grey Gallus, Red Gallus, and Indian Scimitar Babbler.

Connectivity

Churna Gate is the entry point for this sanctuary. Churna Gate is located at about 17 Kms from Bhoura, 17 Kms from Dhodramohar Railway Station, 59 Kms from Itarsi Junction Railway Station, 59 Kms from Itarsi, 61 Kms from Betul, 76 Kms from Narmadapuram, 95 Kms from Pachmarhi, and 160 Kms from Bhopal Airport. Churna Gate is situated at about 17 Kms to the north east of Bhoura on Narmadapuram to Betul route.

Location

Satpura Tiger Reserve – The Tiger Reserve

Satpura Tiger Reserve – The Tiger Reserve

This tiger reserve is situated in the Satpura landscape in the Deccan peninsular biogeographic zone of central Indian highlands. The total area of the tiger reserve is about 2133.30 sq kms. The core area of the tiger reserve covers an area of about 1339.26 sq kms while the buffer area covers an area of about 794.04 sq kms. The core area comprises of Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary and Satpura National Park and the buffer area comprises of reserve forests, protected forests, and revenue areas.

The core ranges of the tiger reserve are Kamti, Bori, Churna, East Pachmarhi, West Pachmarhi and Matkuli. The buffer ranges of the tiger reserve are Bagra, Tawa, Pipariya and Denwa. The terrain of the national park is extremely rugged and consists of deep valleys, sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, ravines, waterfalls, and dense forests. The altitude ranges from 300 to 1,352 metres (984 to 4,436 ft). Dhoopgarh peak has an elevation of 1,350 metres (4,430 ft) and is the highest peak in the Satpura range. Denwa River is the lifeline of this tiger reserve.

Flora:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2024/07/satpura-tiger-reserve-flora.html

Fauna:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2024/07/satpura-tiger-reserve-fauna.html

Satpura Tiger Reserve – The Fauna

Satpura Tiger Reserve – The Fauna

The reserve is home to 52 species of mammals, 325 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles, and 50 species of butterflies. There are about 14 species of endangered mammals and reptiles in this reserve.  Some of the mammals found in the reserve are Spotted Deer, Indian Bison (Gaur), Tiger, Leopard, Indian muntjac, Bluebull (Nilgai), Wild boar, Wild dog (Dholes), Chinkara, Sloth bear, Black buck, Indian grey wolf, Porcupine, Fox, Mouse deer, Sambhar, Barasingha, four Horned antelopes (Chausingha), Pangolin, Marsh crocodile, Smooth otter, Small Indian civet, Indian flying fox, Golden jackal, Striped hyena, Asiatic wildcat, Striped-necked mongoose, Leaf nosed bat, Indian pipistrelle, Jungle cat, Rusty spotted cat, Blacknaped,  hare, Three stripped palm squirrel, Common mongoose, Indian giant squirrel, Flying squirrel, Rhesus monkey, and Langur.

Some of the butterflies found in the reserve are Oakleaf, Black Rajah, Great Egg fly, Lime butterfly, Common rose, Crimson rose, Yellow orange tip, Indian cupid, Striped tiger, Plain tiger, Gaudy baron, Common crow, Common jezebel, Daniad egg fly, Common evening brown, Common tree brown, Tawny rajah and Indian Skipper. Some of the reptiles found in the reserve are Marsh crocodile, monitor lizard and Indian soft-shell turtle. Fish of various types are also found in large numbers in the streams and rivers.

Some of the birds found in the reserve are Malabar whistling Thrush, Paradise Fly-catcher, Honey Buzzard, Indian Skimmer, Black bellied tern, Brahmini duck, Bar-headed Geese, Pintails, Spotbills, Peafowl, Grey jungle fowl, Green pigeon, Peacock, Racket tailed drongo, Golden-hooded oriole, Indian treepie, Rufous treepie, Indian roller, Wolly necked stork, White browed wagtail, Pied kingfisher, Little cormorant, Painted stork, Crested serpent eagle, Brown fish owl, Egret, Ibis, Grey partridges, quails, Snipes, Ruddy shelduck, Long billed vulture, Changeable hawk eagle, White Rumped vulture, and Malabar pied Hornbill.

Satpura Tiger Reserve – The Flora

Satpura Tiger Reserve – The Flora

The tiger reserve comprises of moist mixed deciduous forests. The reserve is home to over 1300 species of plants. The reserve has around 62 trees species, 30 small tree species, 58 shrubs species, 32 climber species and almost 64 grass species. Twenty-six species of the Himalayan region and 42 species of Nilgiri areas are found in this reserve. Hence, this reserve is considered as the northern extremity of Western Ghats. Some of the species common to Satpura and Himalayas are Asterella khasiana, Bambusa polymorpha, Rubus ellipticus, Berberis asiatica. Some of the species common to Satpura and Western Ghats are, Cochlospermum religiosum, Pterocarpus santilenus (Red sandal).

Some of the extremely rare and endangered species of flora are also found here. The endemic and endangered species of plants found in the reserve are Ficus cupulata Haines, Jasminum brevipetiolatum Duthie, Alsophila balakrishnanii Dixit, Psilotum nudum (L)P. Beauv, Leptochilus lanceolatus Fee, Angiopteris helferiana Presl, Eriocaulon polyceohalatum Hook, Eriocaulon matrianum Wall, Platygyriella aurea (Schwaegr)Buck, Leucoloma amoene-virens Mitt., Meiothecium microcarpum (Hook) Mitt., Campylopus gracillis (mitt) A.Jaegar, Dicranella leptoneura Dixon, Fissidens asperisetus var andamanensis, Isoetespanchananii Pant and Srivast., Isoetes pantii Goswami and Arya, Leucas pachmarhiensis.

Freshwater red Alga Batrecospermummoniliforme is also recorded at nominated property. Two species of tree ferns Cythea gigantea and Cythea spinulosa are also found in the Pachmarhi part of Satpura Tiger Reserve. Saal is the most prominent flora of this reserve which is found in the Pachmarhi plateau. The lower plains on the northern side of the reserve consist of teak forest on basaltic traps. Many species like Melastoma malabathricum, Murraya paniculata, Holmskioldia senguinea, Blumea lanceolaria, and Sophora interrupta are found only in this reserve. The other trees found in the reserve are tendu, mahua (Indian butter-tree), bel (stone-apple), aonla, and bamboos.

It also has important medicinal plants and rare endemic plants from the genus Psilotum, Cyathea, Osmunda, Lycopodium, and Lygodium. The tiger reserve has about 10% of the area which is classified as grasslands including natural blanks on Pachmarhi plateau, anthropogenic grassland due to relocation of villages and draw down areas of Tawa reservoir. These grasslands are named Neemghan, Madai, Keria, Dhain, and Geetkheda. In addition to these grasslands, few new grasslands have been created due to the relocation of 23 villages from the core area of the reserve.