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Coordinates: 10°10′12.0″N 77°03′40.9″E / 10.170000°N 77.061361°E / 10.170000; 77.061361
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{{Short description|Mountain range in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox mountain
{{Infobox mountain
| name= Anaimalai / Anamala Hills<br/>Elephant Hills<br/>
| name= Anamala Hills<br/>Elephant Hills
| photo= Anamalai_Hills_-_panoramio.jpg
| photo= Anamalai_Hills_-_panoramio.jpg
| photo_caption=
| photo_caption=
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| elevation_m= 2695
| elevation_m= 2695
| coordinates= {{coord|10|12|56.0|N|76|52|39.3|E|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline}} 10°12'56.0"N 76°52'39.3"E
| coordinates= {{coord|10|12|56.0|N|76|52|39.3|E|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline}} 10°12'56.0"N 76°52'39.3"E
| coordinates_ref=<ref name="peakbagger">{{cite peakbagger | pid = 10664 | title = Anaimudi/Anamudi, India | access-date = 2013-03-12}}</ref>
| coordinates_ref=<ref name="peakbagger">{{cite peakbagger | pid = 10664 | title = Anamudi, India | access-date = 2013-03-12}}</ref>
| map= Kerala
| map= Kerala
| map_caption= Location of [[Anamalai Hills]]
| map_caption= Location of [[Anamala Hills]]
| map_size= 250
| map_size= 250
| country= [[India]]
| country= [[India]]
| subdivision2_type= States
| subdivision2_type= States
| subdivision2= {{enum|[[Tamil Nadu]]|[[Kerala]]}}
| subdivision2= {{hlist|[[Kerala]]|[[Tamilnadu]]}}
| parent= [[Western Ghats]]
| parent= [[Western Ghats]]
| range_coordinates= {{coord|10|10|12.0|N|77|03|40.9|E|type:mountain_scale:300000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}10°10'12.0"N 77°03'40.9"E
| range_coordinates= {{coord|10|10|12.0|N|77|03|40.9|E|type:mountain_scale:300000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}10°10'12.0"N 77°03'40.9"E
| range_coordinates_ref=
| range_coordinates_ref=
| topo_map= [http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=10.366667&lon=77.125&z=12&l=0&m=t (Terrain)]
| topo_map= [http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=10.366667&lon=77.125&z=12&l=0&m=t (Terrain)]
| geology= [[Fault (geology)|Fault]]<ref>{{cite journal |doi= 10.1016/j.gr.2005.11.013 |title=Nature of the crust along Kuppam–Palani geotransect (South India) from Gravity studies: Implications for Precambrian continental collision and delamination |year= 2006 |last1=Singh |first1=A.P. |last2=Kumar |first2=Niraj |last3=Singh |first3=B. |journal=Gondwana Research |volume= 10 |pages= 41–7}}</ref>
| geology= [[Fault (geology)|Fault]]<ref>{{cite journal |doi= 10.1016/j.gr.2005.11.013 |title=Nature of the crust along Kuppam–Palani geotransect (South India) from Gravity studies: Implications for Precambrian continental collision and delamination |year= 2006 |last1=Singh |first1=A.P. |last2=Kumar |first2=Niraj |last3=Singh |first3=B. |journal=Gondwana Research |volume= 10 |issue=1–2 |pages= 41–7}}</ref>
| orogeny=
| orogeny=
| age= [[Cenozoic]]<br />100 to 80 [[mya (unit)|mya]]
| age= [[Cenozoic]]<br>100 to 80 [[mya (unit)|mya]]
}}
}}
[[File:Jambu Malai 2.JPG|thumb|260px|Jambu Malai is a part of Anaimalai Hills]]
[[File:Jambu Malai 2.JPG|thumb|260px|Jambu Malai is a part of Anaimalai Hills]]
The '''Anaimalais''' or '''Anamala''', also known as the '''Elephant Mountains''', are a range of mountains in the southern [[Western Ghats]] and span the border of western [[Tamil Nadu]]([[Coimbatore district]] and [[Tiruppur district]]) and central [[Kerala]]([[Palakkad district]], [[Thrissur district]], [[Ernakulam district]], and [[Idukki district]]) in Southern India. The name ''anamala'' is derived from the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] word ''aanai'', the [[Malayalam]] word ''aana'', meaning elephant, or from tribal languages. ''Mala'' or ''Malai'' means 'hill', and thus 'Elephant hill'.<ref>Fabricius, Johann Philipp. (1972) ''J. P. Fabricius's Tamil and English dictionary'', 4th ed., rev. and enl. Tranquebar: Evangelical Lutheran Mission Pub. House, retrieved 6/18/2007 [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/romadict.pl?page=37&table=fabricius&display=simple anai (āṉai), an elephant] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024221047/http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/romadict.pl?page=37&table=fabricius&display=imple |date=24 October 2015 }}</ref>
The '''Anamala''' or '''Anaimalai''', also known as the '''Elephant Mountains''', are a range of mountains in the southern [[Western Ghats]] of central [[Kerala]] ([[Idukki district]], [[Ernakulam district]], [[Palakkad district]], [[Thrissur district]]) and span the border of western [[Tamil Nadu]] ([[Coimbatore district]] and [[Tiruppur district]]) in Southern India. The name ''anamala'' is derived from the [[Malayalam]] word ''aana and'' the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] word ''yaanai'', meaning [[elephant]], or from tribal languages. ''Mala'' or ''Malai'' means 'mountain', and thus literally translatable as 'Elephant mountain'.<ref>Fabricius, Johann Philipp. (1972) ''J. P. Fabricius's Tamil and English dictionary'', 4th ed., rev. and enl. Tranquebar: Evangelical Lutheran Mission Pub. House, retrieved 6/18/2007 [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/romadict.pl?page=37&table=fabricius&display=simple anai (āṉai), an elephant] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024221047/http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/romadict.pl?page=37&table=fabricius&display=imple |date=24 October 2015 }}</ref>


[[Anamudi]] Peak (8,842 feet (2,695 metres)) lies at the southern end of the range and is the highest peak in southern India. The [[Palakkad Gap]] is the mountain pass which divides it from the [[Nilgiri Mountains]]. The northern slopes of the hills in [[Tamil Nadu]] now have [[Coffee bean|coffee]] and [[tea plantation]]s(especially around [[Valparai]]), as well as [[teak]] plantations of high economic value.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/place/Anaimalai-Hills|title=Anaimalai Hills {{!}} mountains, India|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=2016-05-11}}</ref> The rest are mostly forests, of mainly two ecoregions-the [[South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests]] (mainly in Tamil Nadu, as well as [[Palakkad district]] and [[Idukki district]] of Kerala) and the [[South Western Ghats montane rain forests]](mainly in [[Palakkad district]], [[Ernakulam district]], and [[Idukki district]] of [[Kerala]], [[Coimbatore district]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]).
[[Anamudi]] Peak (8,842 feet (2,695 metres)) lies at the southern end of the range and is the highest peak in southern India. The [[Palakkad Gap]] is the mountain pass which divides it from the [[Nilgiri Mountains]]. The northern slopes of the hills in [[Tamil Nadu]] now have [[Coffee bean|coffee]] and [[tea plantation]]s(especially around [[Valparai]]), as well as [[teak]] plantations of high economic value.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/place/Anaimalai-Hills|title=Anamala Hills {{!}} mountains, India|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=2016-05-11}}</ref> The rest are mostly forests, of mainly two ecoregions-the [[South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests]] (mainly in [[Palakkad district]] and [[Idukki district]] of Kerala, as well as Tamil Nadu) and the [[South Western Ghats montane rain forests]](mainly in [[Idukki district]], [[Ernakulam district]], [[Palakkad district]] of [[Kerala]], [[Coimbatore district]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]).


The Western Ghats and Anaimalai Sub-Cluster, including the Anaimalai Hills, are now a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name="UNESCO" >UNESCO, World Heritage sites, Tentative lists, Western Ghats sub cluster, Niligiris. retrieved 4/20/2007 [https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/2103/ World Heritage sites, Tentative lists]</ref>
The Western Ghats and Anaimalai Sub-Cluster, including the Anaimalai Hills, are now a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name="UNESCO" >UNESCO, World Heritage sites, Tentative lists, Western Ghats sub cluster, Niligiris. retrieved 4/20/2007 [https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/2103/ World Heritage sites, Tentative lists]</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
The hills are located between 10° 13' and 10° 31' N. and 76° 52' and 77° 23' E with a central point of: {{coord|10|22|N|77|07.5|E|type:mountain}}. They are south of where the Western Ghats are broken by the [[Palakkad Gap]], which in, turn is south of the [[Nilgiri Hills]]. They border on [[Kerala]] to the southwest and the [[Cardamom Hills]] to the southeast. To the west is the bamboo-rich Idamalayar-[[Pooyamkutty]] valley. The [[Palni Hills]] lies to the east, extending into [[Kerala]] as the [[Pampadum Shola National Park]]. They are spread largely over [[Palakkad district]], [[Thrissur district]], [[Ernakulam district]] and [[Idukki district]] of [[Kerala]](mainly Palakkad and Ernakulam), [[Tamil Nadu]]'s [[Coimbatore district]] and [[Tiruppur district]].{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
The hills are located between 10° 13' and 10° 31' N. and 76° 52' and 77° 23' E with a central point of: {{coord|10|22|N|77|07.5|E|type:mountain}}. They are south of where the Western Ghats are broken by the [[Palakkad Gap]], which in, turn is south of the [[Nilgiri Hills]]. They border on [[Kerala]] to the southwest and the [[Cardamom Hills]] to the southeast. To the west is the bamboo-rich Idamalayar-[[Pooyamkutty]] valley. The [[Palni Hills]] lies to the east, extending into [[Kerala]] as the [[Pampadum Shola National Park]]. They are spread largely over [[Palakkad district]], [[Thrissur district]], [[Ernakulam district]] and [[Idukki district]] of [[Kerala]](mainly Palakkad and Idukki), [[Tamil Nadu]]'s [[Coimbatore district]] and [[Tiruppur district]].{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}


Their geological formation is metamorphic [[gneiss]], veined with [[feldspar]] and [[quartz]], and interspersed with reddish [[Porphyry (geology)|porphyrite]].<ref>{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Anamalai Hills|volume=1|page=913}}</ref> Twelve major forest types are found in the area. The landscape is fragmented by many coffee and tea plantations on the lower slopes and teak plantations higher up. [[Monsoon]] rains are heavy. Annual rainfall varies from 2,000&nbsp;mm to 5,000&nbsp;mm in the area.<ref>Sajeev T.K. et al., ''Management of Forests in India for Biological Diversity and Forest Productivity- A New Perspective'', WII-USDA Forest Service Collaborative Project Grant No. FG-In-780 (In-FS-120), Volume III (ACA) [http://www.wii.gov.in/download/volume3(ACA).pdf Anaimalai Conservation Area] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070316102346/http://www.wii.gov.in/download/volume3%28ACA%29.pdf |date=16 March 2007 }}.</ref> Formed by fault-block movements in the [[Holocene]] Epoch (i.e., about the past 11,700 years), the Anaimalai Hills descend to form a series of terraces about 3,300 feet (1,000 metres) high.
Their geological formation is metamorphic [[gneiss]], veined with [[feldspar]] and [[quartz]], and interspersed with reddish [[Porphyry (geology)|porphyrite]].<ref>{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Anamalai Hills|volume=1|page=913}}</ref> Twelve major forest types are found in the area. The landscape is fragmented by many coffee and tea plantations on the lower slopes and teak plantations higher up. [[Monsoon]] rains are heavy. Annual rainfall varies from 2,000&nbsp;mm to 5,000&nbsp;mm in the area.<ref>Sajeev T.K. et al., ''Management of Forests in India for Biological Diversity and Forest Productivity- A New Perspective'', WII-USDA Forest Service Collaborative Project Grant No. FG-In-780 (In-FS-120), Volume III (ACA) [http://www.wii.gov.in/download/volume3(ACA).pdf Anaimalai Conservation Area] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070316102346/http://www.wii.gov.in/download/volume3%28ACA%29.pdf |date=16 March 2007 }}.</ref> Formed by fault-block movements in the [[Holocene]] Epoch (i.e., about the past 11,700 years), the Anaimalai Hills descend to form a series of terraces about 3,300 feet (1,000 metres) high.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}


==Fauna==
==Fauna==
[[File:An Elephant Mother and their Calf.jpg|thumb|Wild elephants in [[Anamalai Tiger Reserve]], Tamilnadu ]]
[[File:Uday Kiran Elephants quarrel.jpg|thumb|Wild elephants in [[Anamalai Tiger Reserve]], Tamilnadu]]
The Anamala/Anaimalai Hills are known for their abundant wildlife. [[Eravikulam National Park]], [[Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary]], Idamalayar Reserve Forest, [[Mankulam (Kerala)|Mankulam]] Forest division [[Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary]], and [[Anamalai Tiger Reserve]] located among these hills are well known for [[Indian elephant|elephants]]. The [[Idamalayar Dam]] area is a major wildlife spot, along with [[Pooyamkutty]] and [[Aanakkulam]]. This area includes various tribal villages and is protected. Numerous wildlife species can be seen including elephants, [[gaur]], [[wild Asian water buffalo|water buffalo]]es, [[Bengal tiger|tigers]], [[leopard|panther]]s, [[sloth bear]]s, [[pangolin]]s, [[black-headed oriole]]s, [[mugger crocodile|crocodile]]s, [[grey-fronted green pigeon|green pigeons]], [[civet|civet cats]], [[dhole]], [[sambar deer|sambar]], [[black buck]], and 31 groups of endangered [[lion-tailed macaque]]s.<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=12111684 |year=2002 |last1=Singh |first1=M |last2=Kumar |first2=MA |last3=Kumara |first3=HN |last4=Sharma |first4=AK |last5=Kaumanns |first5=W |title=Distribution, population structure, and conservation of lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) in the Anamala / Anaimalai Hills, Western Ghats, India |volume=57 |issue=2 |pages=91–102 |doi=10.1002/ajp.10037 |journal=American Journal of Primatology}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first1=H. N. |last1=Kumara |first2=M. Ananda |last2=Kumar |first3=A. K. |last3=Sharma |first4=H. S. |last4=Sushma |first5=Mridula |last5=Singh |first6=Mewa |last6=Singh |year=2004 |title=Diversity and management of wild mammals in tea gardens in the rainforest regions of the Western Ghats, India: A case study from a tea estate in the Anamala / Anaimalai Hills |journal=Current Science |volume=87 |issue=9 |pages=1282–|url=http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Downloads/article_id_087_09_1282_1287_0.pdf}}</ref> Birds seen include the Pied hornbill, Red whiskered bulbul and Drongo.
The Anamala/Anaimalai Hills are known for their abundant wildlife. [[Eravikulam National Park]], [[Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary]], Idamalayar Reserve Forest, [[Mankulam (Kerala)|Mankulam]] Forest division [[Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary]], and [[Anamalai Tiger Reserve]] located among these hills are well known for [[Indian elephant|elephants]]. The [[Idamalayar Dam]] area is a major wildlife spot, along with [[Pooyamkutty]] and [[Aanakkulam]]. This area includes various tribal villages and is protected. Numerous wildlife species can be seen including elephants, [[gaur]], [[wild Asian water buffalo|water buffalo]]es, [[Bengal tiger|tigers]], [[leopard|panther]]s, [[sloth bear]]s, [[pangolin]]s, [[black-headed oriole]]s, [[mugger crocodile|crocodile]]s, [[grey-fronted green pigeon|green pigeons]], [[civet|civet cats]], [[dhole]], [[sambar deer|sambar]], [[black buck]], and 31 groups of endangered [[lion-tailed macaque]]s.<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=12111684 |year=2002 |last1=Singh |first1=M |last2=Kumar |first2=MA |last3=Kumara |first3=HN |last4=Sharma |first4=AK |last5=Kaumanns |first5=W |title=Distribution, population structure, and conservation of lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) in the Anamala / Anaimalai Hills, Western Ghats, India |volume=57 |issue=2 |pages=91–102 |doi=10.1002/ajp.10037 |journal=American Journal of Primatology|s2cid=43014595 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first1=H. N. |last1=Kumara |first2=M. Ananda |last2=Kumar |first3=A. K. |last3=Sharma |first4=H. S. |last4=Sushma |first5=Mridula |last5=Singh |first6=Mewa |last6=Singh |year=2004 |title=Diversity and management of wild mammals in tea gardens in the rainforest regions of the Western Ghats, India: A case study from a tea estate in the Anamala / Anaimalai Hills |journal=Current Science |volume=87 |issue=9 |pages=1282–|url=http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Downloads/article_id_087_09_1282_1287_0.pdf}}</ref> Birds seen include the Pied hornbill, Red whiskered bulbul and Drongo.


Recently, a new frog species, ''[[Beddomixalus bijui]]'', was found within the forest.<ref>[http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/z03640p199f.pdf Two novel genera and one new species of treefrog (Anura: Rhacophoridae) highlight cryptic diversity in the Western Ghats of India.] Zootaxa 3640 (2): 177–189.</ref>
Recently, a new frog species, ''[[Beddomixalus bijui]]'', was found within the forest.<ref>[http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/z03640p199f.pdf Two novel genera and one new species of treefrog (Anura: Rhacophoridae) highlight cryptic diversity in the Western Ghats of India.] Zootaxa 3640 (2): 177–189.</ref>
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==Hydrology==
==Hydrology==
[[File:Amaravathi Reservoir & Dam.jpg|thumb|260px|Amaravathi Reservoir and Dam]]
[[File:Amaravathi Reservoir & Dam.jpg|thumb|260px|Amaravathi Reservoir and Dam]]
There are several rivers in the area including the Chalakkudipuzha, Aliayar, Apambar, Chinnar , Kaddambarrai , Neerar, Mannambhally, [[Pambar River (Kerala)|Pambar River]], and the [[Idamalayar]]. Most of these rivers originate in the [[shola]]s of Kerala's Ernakulam and Idukki districts, flowing mostly west towards the [[Arabian Sea]], with a few exceptions, such as the Amaravathi and Pambar, which flow into [[Tamil Nadu]], the Amaravathi being a tributary of the [[Kaveri]].{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} There are several large reservoirs in the area, including the Aliayar Dam, Amaravathi Dam, Kaddambarrai Dam, Neerar Dam, Sholayar Dam (one of the largest of its kind in Asia), Mannambhally Dam, the [[Idamalayar Dam]] and the Parambikkulam Dam. There is a water dispute between [[Kerala]] and [[Tamil Nadu]] about the [[Idamalayar Dam]] due to the construction of the Neerar Dam by Tamil Nadu on the Neerar, a tributary of the [[Idamalayar]], and thereby, visitors are now prohibited from entering the [[Idamalayar Dam]] area. Vadattupara is the last destination that one is allowed to reach on the [[Bhoothathankettu]]-[[Idamalayar Dam]] Road.
There are several rivers in the area including the Chalakkudipuzha, Aliayar, Apambar, Chinnar , Kaddambarrai , Neerar, Mannambhally, [[Pambar River (Kerala)|Pambar River]], and the [[Idamalayar]]. Most of these rivers originate in the [[shola]]s, flowing mostly west towards the [[Arabian Sea]], with a few exceptions, such as the Amaravathi and Pambar, which flow into [[Tamil Nadu]], the Amaravathi being a tributary of the [[Kaveri]].{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} There are several large reservoirs in the area, including the Aliayar Dam, Amaravathi Dam, Kaddambarrai Dam, Neerar Dam, Sholayar Dam (one of the largest of its kind in Asia), Mannambhally Dam, the [[Idamalayar Dam]] and the Parambikkulam Dam. There is a water dispute between [[Kerala]] and [[Tamil Nadu]] about the [[Idamalayar Dam]] due to the construction of the Neerar Dam by Tamil Nadu on the Neerar, a tributary of the [[Idamalayar]], and thereby, visitors are now prohibited from entering the [[Idamalayar Dam]] area. Vadattupara is the last destination that one is allowed to reach on the [[Bhoothathankettu]]-[[Idamalayar Dam]] Road. The area is also ecologically very sensitive.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}


==Tourism==
==Tourism==
The Anaimalai Hills are a popular trekking destination in the Western Ghats. Due to heavy rains during the wet season, the ideal time for tourism is between the months of November and May.{{Citation needed|date=May 2016}} [[State Highway 17 (Kerala)|SH-17]] passes through the Anaimalai Hills, between [[Udumalaipettai|Udumalapet]] and [[Munnar]], [[State Highway 21 (Kerala)|SH-21]] passes from [[Chalakudy]] to [[Malakkappara]]. The nearest towns are Munnar, [[Pooyamkutty]], [[Mankulam (Kerala)|Mankulam]], and [[Kothamangalam]]. The nearest international airports are [[Cochin International Airport]] and [[Coimbatore International Airport]]. [[Aluva railway station]] and [[Pollachi Junction railway station]] are the nearest railway stations.
The Anaimalai Hills are a popular trekking destination in the Western Ghats. Due to heavy rains during the wet season, the ideal time for tourism is between the months of November and May.{{Citation needed|date=May 2016}} [[State Highway 17 (Kerala)|SH-17]] passes through the Anaimalai Hills, between [[Udumalaipettai|Udumalapet]] and [[Munnar]], [[State Highway 21 (Kerala)|SH-21]] passes from [[Chalakudy]] to [[Malakkappara]]. The nearest towns are Munnar, [[Pooyamkutty]], [[Mankulam (Kerala)|Mankulam]], and [[Kothamangalam]]. The nearest international airports are [[Cochin International Airport]] and [[Coimbatore International Airport]]. [[Aluva railway station]] and [[Pollachi Junction railway station]] are the nearest railway stations.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Canopy of tropical rain forest in Anaimalai hills IMG 8537.jpg|Canopy of tropical rain forest in Anaimalai hills
File:Shaded (8777306842).jpg|
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
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==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* Anaimalais, the 'elephant mountains' Chapter One, [https://books.google.com/books?id=gRGLd4K6kIIC&printsec=frontcover&client=safari#PPA1,M1 Field Days: A Naturalist's Journey Through South and Southeast Asia] By A. J. T. Johnsingh Contributor A. J. T. Johnsingh Published by Orient Blackswan, 2006 {{ISBN|81-7371-552-1}}, {{ISBN|978-81-7371-552-5}}, 339 pages
* Anaimalais, the 'elephant mountains' Chapter One, [https://books.google.com/books?id=gRGLd4K6kIIC Field Days: A Naturalist's Journey Through South and Southeast Asia] By A. J. T. Johnsingh Contributor A. J. T. Johnsingh Published by Orient Blackswan, 2006 {{ISBN|81-7371-552-1}}, {{ISBN|978-81-7371-552-5}}, 339 pages
* British Library, India Office WD567, [[Douglas Hamilton|Hamilton, Douglas]] (1818–1892); [https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20080902192604/http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/indiaofficeselectpd/FullDisplay.aspx?RecordId=015-000010784 Album of 17 drawings of views in the Anaimalai Hills] (Cochin and Madras), pen-and-ink, 1863, European school| British school
* British Library, India Office WD567, [[Douglas Hamilton|Hamilton, Douglas]] (1818–1892); [https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20080902192604/http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/indiaofficeselectpd/FullDisplay.aspx?RecordId=015-000010784 Album of 17 drawings of views in the Anaimalai Hills] (Cochin and Madras), pen-and-ink, 1863, European school| British school
* British Library, India Office WD568, Hamilton, Douglas (1818–1892); [https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20080902192603/http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/indiaofficeselectpd/FullDisplay.aspx?RecordId=015-000010785 Album of 15 drawings of views in the Anaimalai Hills] (Cochin and Madras), pen-and-ink, 1863, European school| British school
* British Library, India Office WD568, Hamilton, Douglas (1818–1892); [https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20080902192603/http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/indiaofficeselectpd/FullDisplay.aspx?RecordId=015-000010785 Album of 15 drawings of views in the Anaimalai Hills] (Cochin and Madras), pen-and-ink, 1863, European school| British school
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{{Geography of India}}
{{Geography of India}}
{{India topics}}
{{India topics}}

{{Life in India}}
{{GeoSouthAsia}}
{{GeoSouthAsia}}
{{Geography of Asia}}
{{Geography of Asia}}

Latest revision as of 16:56, 17 November 2024

Anamala Hills
Elephant Hills
Highest point
PeakAnamudi, Kerala
Elevation2,695 m (8,842 ft)
Coordinates10°12′56.0″N 76°52′39.3″E / 10.215556°N 76.877583°E / 10.215556; 76.877583 10°12'56.0"N 76°52'39.3"E[1]
Geography
Anamala Hills Elephant Hills is located in Kerala
Anamala Hills Elephant Hills
Anamala Hills
Elephant Hills
Location of Anamala Hills
CountryIndia
States
Range coordinates10°10′12.0″N 77°03′40.9″E / 10.170000°N 77.061361°E / 10.170000; 77.06136110°10'12.0"N 77°03'40.9"E
Parent rangeWestern Ghats
Topo map(Terrain)
Geology
Rock age(s)Cenozoic
100 to 80 mya
Rock typeFault[2]
Jambu Malai is a part of Anaimalai Hills

The Anamala or Anaimalai, also known as the Elephant Mountains, are a range of mountains in the southern Western Ghats of central Kerala (Idukki district, Ernakulam district, Palakkad district, Thrissur district) and span the border of western Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore district and Tiruppur district) in Southern India. The name anamala is derived from the Malayalam word aana and the Tamil word yaanai, meaning elephant, or from tribal languages. Mala or Malai means 'mountain', and thus literally translatable as 'Elephant mountain'.[3]

Anamudi Peak (8,842 feet (2,695 metres)) lies at the southern end of the range and is the highest peak in southern India. The Palakkad Gap is the mountain pass which divides it from the Nilgiri Mountains. The northern slopes of the hills in Tamil Nadu now have coffee and tea plantations(especially around Valparai), as well as teak plantations of high economic value.[4] The rest are mostly forests, of mainly two ecoregions-the South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests (mainly in Palakkad district and Idukki district of Kerala, as well as Tamil Nadu) and the South Western Ghats montane rain forests(mainly in Idukki district, Ernakulam district, Palakkad district of Kerala, Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu).

The Western Ghats and Anaimalai Sub-Cluster, including the Anaimalai Hills, are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[5]

Geography

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The hills are located between 10° 13' and 10° 31' N. and 76° 52' and 77° 23' E with a central point of: 10°22′N 77°07.5′E / 10.367°N 77.1250°E / 10.367; 77.1250. They are south of where the Western Ghats are broken by the Palakkad Gap, which in, turn is south of the Nilgiri Hills. They border on Kerala to the southwest and the Cardamom Hills to the southeast. To the west is the bamboo-rich Idamalayar-Pooyamkutty valley. The Palni Hills lies to the east, extending into Kerala as the Pampadum Shola National Park. They are spread largely over Palakkad district, Thrissur district, Ernakulam district and Idukki district of Kerala(mainly Palakkad and Idukki), Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore district and Tiruppur district.[citation needed]

Their geological formation is metamorphic gneiss, veined with feldspar and quartz, and interspersed with reddish porphyrite.[6] Twelve major forest types are found in the area. The landscape is fragmented by many coffee and tea plantations on the lower slopes and teak plantations higher up. Monsoon rains are heavy. Annual rainfall varies from 2,000 mm to 5,000 mm in the area.[7] Formed by fault-block movements in the Holocene Epoch (i.e., about the past 11,700 years), the Anaimalai Hills descend to form a series of terraces about 3,300 feet (1,000 metres) high.[citation needed]

Fauna

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Wild elephants in Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Tamilnadu

The Anamala/Anaimalai Hills are known for their abundant wildlife. Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Idamalayar Reserve Forest, Mankulam Forest division Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, and Anamalai Tiger Reserve located among these hills are well known for elephants. The Idamalayar Dam area is a major wildlife spot, along with Pooyamkutty and Aanakkulam. This area includes various tribal villages and is protected. Numerous wildlife species can be seen including elephants, gaur, water buffaloes, tigers, panthers, sloth bears, pangolins, black-headed orioles, crocodiles, green pigeons, civet cats, dhole, sambar, black buck, and 31 groups of endangered lion-tailed macaques.[8][9] Birds seen include the Pied hornbill, Red whiskered bulbul and Drongo.

Recently, a new frog species, Beddomixalus bijui, was found within the forest.[10]

Hydrology

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Amaravathi Reservoir and Dam

There are several rivers in the area including the Chalakkudipuzha, Aliayar, Apambar, Chinnar , Kaddambarrai , Neerar, Mannambhally, Pambar River, and the Idamalayar. Most of these rivers originate in the sholas, flowing mostly west towards the Arabian Sea, with a few exceptions, such as the Amaravathi and Pambar, which flow into Tamil Nadu, the Amaravathi being a tributary of the Kaveri.[citation needed] There are several large reservoirs in the area, including the Aliayar Dam, Amaravathi Dam, Kaddambarrai Dam, Neerar Dam, Sholayar Dam (one of the largest of its kind in Asia), Mannambhally Dam, the Idamalayar Dam and the Parambikkulam Dam. There is a water dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu about the Idamalayar Dam due to the construction of the Neerar Dam by Tamil Nadu on the Neerar, a tributary of the Idamalayar, and thereby, visitors are now prohibited from entering the Idamalayar Dam area. Vadattupara is the last destination that one is allowed to reach on the Bhoothathankettu-Idamalayar Dam Road. The area is also ecologically very sensitive.[citation needed]

Tourism

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The Anaimalai Hills are a popular trekking destination in the Western Ghats. Due to heavy rains during the wet season, the ideal time for tourism is between the months of November and May.[citation needed] SH-17 passes through the Anaimalai Hills, between Udumalapet and Munnar, SH-21 passes from Chalakudy to Malakkappara. The nearest towns are Munnar, Pooyamkutty, Mankulam, and Kothamangalam. The nearest international airports are Cochin International Airport and Coimbatore International Airport. Aluva railway station and Pollachi Junction railway station are the nearest railway stations.

References

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  1. ^ "Anamudi, India". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  2. ^ Singh, A.P.; Kumar, Niraj; Singh, B. (2006). "Nature of the crust along Kuppam–Palani geotransect (South India) from Gravity studies: Implications for Precambrian continental collision and delamination". Gondwana Research. 10 (1–2): 41–7. doi:10.1016/j.gr.2005.11.013.
  3. ^ Fabricius, Johann Philipp. (1972) J. P. Fabricius's Tamil and English dictionary, 4th ed., rev. and enl. Tranquebar: Evangelical Lutheran Mission Pub. House, retrieved 6/18/2007 anai (āṉai), an elephant Archived 24 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Anamala Hills | mountains, India". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  5. ^ UNESCO, World Heritage sites, Tentative lists, Western Ghats sub cluster, Niligiris. retrieved 4/20/2007 World Heritage sites, Tentative lists
  6. ^  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Anamalai Hills". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 913.
  7. ^ Sajeev T.K. et al., Management of Forests in India for Biological Diversity and Forest Productivity- A New Perspective, WII-USDA Forest Service Collaborative Project Grant No. FG-In-780 (In-FS-120), Volume III (ACA) Anaimalai Conservation Area Archived 16 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ^ Singh, M; Kumar, MA; Kumara, HN; Sharma, AK; Kaumanns, W (2002). "Distribution, population structure, and conservation of lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) in the Anamala / Anaimalai Hills, Western Ghats, India". American Journal of Primatology. 57 (2): 91–102. doi:10.1002/ajp.10037. PMID 12111684. S2CID 43014595.
  9. ^ Kumara, H. N.; Kumar, M. Ananda; Sharma, A. K.; Sushma, H. S.; Singh, Mridula; Singh, Mewa (2004). "Diversity and management of wild mammals in tea gardens in the rainforest regions of the Western Ghats, India: A case study from a tea estate in the Anamala / Anaimalai Hills" (PDF). Current Science. 87 (9): 1282–.
  10. ^ Two novel genera and one new species of treefrog (Anura: Rhacophoridae) highlight cryptic diversity in the Western Ghats of India. Zootaxa 3640 (2): 177–189.

Further reading

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