Mathikettan Shola National Park - National park in Pooppara - Idukki, India

One of the virgin forests in Kerala, Is the smallest National park too. The Shola forest is prestien, so tourists are not allowed. The forest has rich biodiversity.

It was a great experience deep inside the woods but no view points except the Anayirangal dam and adjacent mountain ranges. Understandably the streams are a bit dry because of summer. Must visit place during monsoon.

Total area of the park is about 12.82 Km2. It was declared as a National Park in the year of 2003. The park is home to beautiful and rare animals like Panthers, Elephants, Giant squirrel, Flying squirrels and Nilgiri tahr. There are various types of medicinal plants (herbs), of which studies have been conducted. The park is a biodiversity hotspot and plays a vital role in safeguarding wildlife in the region. Watching birds and wildlife in their natural habitat is a popular attraction among trekkers in the national park............. National park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife & biodiversity, and where activities like developmental, forestry, poaching, hunting and grazing on cultivation are not permitted. Their boundaries are well marked and circumscribed. Mathikettan Shola National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Idukki district of the state of Kerala. The park is located between other reserve forests like Eravikulam National Park and Pampadam Shola National Park. It was declared as a National Park in the year of 2003. Total area of the park is about 12.82 Km2. The park was part of the Cardamom Hill Reserve region till it was notified as a national park. History The name of the park has been derived from a Tamil term which literally refers to 'mind confuser'. It has been so named as the paths inside the forest are quite confusing according to the local folks. The local people attribute its name to the fact that one who enters the dense forests in the Park can easily get lost. The region was declared as a Reserve Woodland by the Travancore Government in 1897. It was confirmed a National Park in the year of 2003 to defend its environmental, faunal, Mathikettan region is portion of the Cardamom Hummock Reserve (CHR) reported in the Travancore Government journal 24th August 1897, in which the region was created as a Reserve Woodland underneath section 18 of Regulation II of 1068. Before 2003, a part of the land was under lease for the production of cardamom. Certain areas in the Park were leased out for cardamom cultivation. Geography Mathikettan Shola National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Idukki district of the state of Kerala. It is located between other reserve forests like Eravikulam National Park and Pampadam Shola National Park. Total area of the park is about 12.82 Km2. It has an undulating terrain with several hillocks of varying heights. Undulating terrain with hillocks of varying heights, where a misty and cloudy climate prevails throughout the year, where a wide range of habitats shelter species that are rare and endemic, providing a wide range of flora and fauna. The altitude of the region ranges from 1200 to 1984 metres. It is also the origin of several perennial streams which merges with Panniyar River. Rainfall - 2000 to 2700 mm Temperature: Maximum: 40o C Minimum: 10o C Dominant flora Litsea wighteana, Chionanthus ramiflorus, Syzygium gardneri, Callophyllum austro-indicum, Bhesa indica etc. Various types of Orchids, Ferns, Lichen, and mosses are also found in the park. Dominant fauna Mammals - Panthers, Elephants,Giant squirrels, Jungle Cat, Wild Dog, Gaur, Sambar, Flying Squirrels and Nilgiri marten etc. Reptiles - Rock Python, Rat snakes, Vipers, Cobras, Turtles, Lizards,etc. Best time to visit The best time of the year to visit the Mathikettan Shola National Park is between the months of April to September. FEES Entrance Fee Indians - Rs. 23/- Per person Foreigners - Rs.300/- Per person Trekking Fee Indians & Foreigners - Rs. 500/- Per person Camping at Amenity centre - Rs.200/- Per person Camping at Log House - Rs.1500/- for 2 Person Camping at Choondal Tribal Hut ( Grass House) Rs. 1500/- for 2 Person

Perfect place for understanding shola rain forest. Trekking through this terrain will give an extreme experience . Cool breeze and fresh air inside shola forest will be not the same as ever experienced before.

~10KM Trekking can be done at Mathikettan national park starting from Pooppara choondal ending at Mathikettan amenity center. Mathikettan amenity center is ~3 Km from Santhanpara junction and is a very nice location. During the trek we can get panoramic view of different mountain ranges like kolukkumalai, meesapulimala, chokramudy etc and can view Anayirankal reservoir area.

It's a beautiful place for tourism

beautiful must visit

It was a great place and experience . Slight off-roading will definitely lead to beautiful locations.