Anaimalai Wild Life Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu

Situated in the Western Ghats, the Anaimalai Wild Life Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu falls mostly in Coimbatore District and partly in Madurai District. Steps were taken in 1971 to constitute the Sanctuary which was eventually inaugurated on 21st January, 1973. Spread over an area of 900 square kilometres it contains various types of forests ranging from plain thorn forests to temperate forests of high elevation which make the entire Anaimalais suitable for a veriety of fauna a different altitudes. Most of the South Indian species are well represented here, e.g. elephants, Tigers, Panthers, the sloth hear, Gaurs, Nilgiri Wild Goat (Nilgiri tahr), Dears, Wild boars, Wild dogs, Brown flying squirrel, the Nilgiri langur the Indian porcupine, the Block-naped hare among mammals. Cobra, king Cobra, the keeled Viper among Snakes, as also a rich avifauna and a variety of fishes. Many tourist spots exist for observing wildlife. The sanctuary abounds in many scenic spots Karianshola, Anaikunthi shola Grass Hills, many waterfalls. Wood's grave, 1872 teak plantation (one of the oldest teak plantations). Panchalingam, many dams and reservoirs. Pollachi Headquarters of the Sanctuary is connected by bus rail routes. The Wild Life Officer, Madras and the District Forest Officer, Coimbatore South Division at Pollachi of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department administer the sanctuary.