subject: Silent Valley - The Unexplored Haven In The Western Ghats [print this page] Silent Valley is the last refuge of many endangered flora and fauna including the lion tailed macaques and is the last of the few remaining original forests of the Western Ghats! Located in Palaghat, this nature reserve spreading over an area of 90 sq. kms has arich avian and butterfly population as well. You can spot larger animals such as wild boar, flying squirrel, tigers and elephants apart from various types of snake, lizard and amphibian species.
Strategically located near the hill resort of Coonoor and the wild life sanctuaries including Parambikulam sanctuary, the Attappadi forest range and the Choolanur Peacock Sanctuary, it can be easily accessed by road and regular bus services ply from Munnar and Marayoor, equally famous tourist destinations of Kerala.
Known locally as the Sairandhrivanam (the forest in the valley), this virgin forest land was saved from being lost for ever by the timely intervention of nature enthusiasts by stopping the construction of a proposed Hydel Power Project during the 1970s, which could have submerged it . The Silent Valley National Park is adjacent to the Attappadi Reserve Forests to the East, the Palghat and Nilambur forest divisions in the West and South and the Nilgiri Forests in the North and forms an important elephant corridor. This biodiversity hot spot of Silent Valley was declared as a National Park in 1984 where as the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve incorporating the Silent Valley National Park was set up in 1986.
as its core area, was created in 1986. The climate will be hot during summers and pleasant and moderate during the rest of the year. Trekking and wild life trails make it a great place for adventure buffs as well. There is an array of convenient accommodation options including rest houses, hotels and guest houses to cater to the tourists. In case you are planning a tranquil Kerala holiday in the lap of the Western Ghats, then Silent Valley could well be your choice!
