Anamalai Tiger Reserve

When you are driving to Anamalai (meaning Elephant Hill), make sure to stop by the Nature Information Center first. This is the place where you can learn more about the landscape and the wildlife that inhabits this region. This place also tells you about the ecosystem and threats the animals are facing, in a bid to sensitise the visitor. You can also pick up some interesting books from the small selection on offer all of which help in conservation efforts. This sanctuary itself is situated at an altitude of 1400 meters and is spread over 958 sq. kms. The place is home to animals like leopard, elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, pangolin and civet cat, among others. You can also spot birds such as rocket-tailed drongo, great pied hornbill, dove and green pigeon here. The Amaravathy reservoir is home to a large number of crocodiles. Some of the primates that can be spotted here are the Common and Nilgiri langur and lion-tailed macaque. The reserve was renamed as the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park in the year 1987. The carried landscape and topography also supports many indigenous tribes like the Malasars, Muduvars and Kadars, to list a few.