Kukkal
Encyclopedia
Kukkal is a Panchayat village of terrace
farmers at the far western end of the Palani Hills in Kodaikanal
block of Dindigul district
, Tamil Nadu
state
, South India
. It is 40 kilometres (24.9 mi) from Kodaikanal at: 10°17′9"N 77°21′48"E. Elevation
is 1890 metres (6,200.8 ft). Kookal is notable for the high biodiversity
of the area.
33 cookkal 149 183 32 14 14 0 392
Out of 392 children 5–14 years old, 204 are working and not going to school, 7 are going to school and working, 176 are going to school and not working and 5 no response. Household literacy rate is 79%.
, grassland
, freshwater lake
and shola
. Kookal lake runs through the middle of the sholas and surrounding grasslands. The Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History
has a field research station here.
Flora
The Southern Montane
Wet Temperate Forest
has some unique features. An enormous 800-year-old tree, (sp.?) which bears fruit said to be useful for patients suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, is found here. It is now fenced in and under the care of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department
. Very rare single fern trees, jamun and rudraksha
trees, 26 species of cinnamon
and the Shenbagam flower tree highlight the plant biodiversity.
Evergreen rain forest once extended down the valleys and slopes of the Palani Hills almost to the plains. One relatively large patch of evergreen forest survives on the north-west edge of the Palani plateau west of the settlement of Kookal. It lies on the flanks and crest of a north-south ridge and is mostly between 2000 metres (6,561.7 ft) and 2100 metres (6,889.8 ft) elevation. There is also a stunted dry woodland on parts of the ridge crest. Beyond the forest is the most extensive remaining montane grassland wilderness of the Palani Hills, merging with Manjampatti Valley
in the Indira Gandhi National Park
.
Woody plants were inventoried in December 2004 in the Kukkal Reserve Forest. A total of
2279 stems belonging to 83 species, 68 genera and 40 families were inventoried. Of these, 16
species from 12 genera and 12 families were liana
s. The most abundant species (≥ 1 cm dbh) was Psychotria nilgiriensis var. astephana (Rubiaceae), which accounted for 12% of the stems sampled. Xantolis tomentosa var. elengioides had the
largest basal area. Lauraceae
was the dominant family accounting for 20% of the stems. About 30% of the species were endemic to the Western Ghats.
The Sholas are shrinking and wildlife population are threatened due to monoculture plantations of the Introduced species
pine
, eucalyptus
and wattle
. Along with the encroaching trees, ground ferns are also eating into the grasslands, affecting both the flora and the fauna of the area.
Fauna
Two Wildlife corridor
s for Indian Elephant
s have been identified in the Palani Hills. One is from Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park through Amaravathy and Kudhiraiyar to the Palar Dam, then up the
valley almost to Ganesh Nagar, below Pethuparai. The second corridor is between Top Station
in Kerala to Berijam. The two corridors may be linked in the Kukkal area, and studies are underway to verify the link.
Bison
, mouse deer and barking deer
are commonly sighted. In 2007, Tiger
Pugmark
s were seen in Kukkal shola. In 2006, a rare Manjampatti White Bison
was seen in a herd of about eight or ten normal coloured Bison grazing and resting on mountain downs above Kukkal. Kookal lake hosts a healthy otter
population. The Kookal sholas are noted for 165 species of butterflies, and a number of relatively uncommon birds such as the Wood pigeon
, Nilgiri Pipit
and 15 types of dabchick
s.
in the area of Kukkal. It is not safe to trek in the area without a local guide.
Terrace (agriculture)
Terraces are used in farming to cultivate sloped land. Graduated terrace steps are commonly used to farm on hilly or mountainous terrain. Terraced fields decrease erosion and surface runoff, and are effective for growing crops requiring much water, such as rice...
farmers at the far western end of the Palani Hills in Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal
-Climate:Kodaikanal has a monsoon-influenced subtropical highland climate . The temperatures are cool throughout the year due to the high elevation of the city.-Economy:...
block of Dindigul district
Dindigul District
Dindigul District is an administrative region in the south of Tamil Nadu, India. The district was carved out of Madurai District in the year 1985...
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
, South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
. It is 40 kilometres (24.9 mi) from Kodaikanal at: 10°17′9"N 77°21′48"E. Elevation
Elevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
is 1890 metres (6,200.8 ft). Kookal is notable for the high biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
of the area.
Geography
Kukkal sits at the head of the 126 square kilometres (48.6 sq mi) Kudiraiyar River basin. In this hilly terrain, topography may account for large variations in rainfall over short distances. A rain gauge at the border of the Kukkal forest at 2000 metres (6,561.7 ft) recorded rainfall about 50% higher than that of two rain gauges in grasslands at the same altitude and northern slope during 1956-1966.Employment
Out of 392 households reporting income, the means of livelihood are: casual labour 149, subsistence cultivation 183, artisan 32, salary 14. other 1433 cookkal 149 183 32 14 14 0 392
Health
Drinking water for 391 households is supplied from a source: greater than elevation of 100 meter - 13, within Elevation of 50-100 meter - 149, within Elevation of less than 50 meters -127, within House - 102. within an elevation of more than 50 meters. There is a lack of sanitary latrine facilities. Out of a total of 392 homes: 291 use open defection, 44 use a group latrine with regular water supply, 22 use group latrine with regular water supply, 2 use a clean group latrine with regular water supply and a regular sweeper and 33 use a private latrine.Education
There is a Panchayat Union primary school here.Out of 392 children 5–14 years old, 204 are working and not going to school, 7 are going to school and working, 176 are going to school and not working and 5 no response. Household literacy rate is 79%.
Wildlife
The area includes four types of ecosystems — swampSwamp
A swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
, grassland
Montane grasslands and shrublands
Montane grasslands and shrublands is a biome defined by the World Wildlife Fund. The biome includes high altitude grasslands and shrublands around the world....
, freshwater lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
and shola
Shola
Sholas are patches of stunted evergreen tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest found in valleys amid rolling grassland in the higher montane regions of South India. These patches of shola forest are found mainly in the valleys and are usually separated from one another by undulating...
. Kookal lake runs through the middle of the sholas and surrounding grasslands. The Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History
Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History
The Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History is a national centre for information, education and research in ornithology and natural history in India. It was inspired by and named in honor of Salim Ali, the leading pioneer of ornithology in India. It is an autonomous organization...
has a field research station here.
Flora
The Southern Montane
Montane
In biogeography, montane is the highland area located below the subalpine zone. Montane regions generally have cooler temperatures and often have higher rainfall than the adjacent lowland regions, and are frequently home to distinct communities of plants and animals.The term "montane" means "of the...
Wet Temperate Forest
Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests
Mixed forests are a temperate and humid biome. The typical structure of these forests includes four layers. The uppermost layer is the canopy composed of tall mature trees ranging from 33 to 66 m high. Below the canopy is the three-layered, shade-tolerant understory that is roughly 9 to...
has some unique features. An enormous 800-year-old tree, (sp.?) which bears fruit said to be useful for patients suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, is found here. It is now fenced in and under the care of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department was established as the Madras Forest Department in 1855 by Dr. Hugh Francis Cleghorn, "the father of scientific forestry in India". The department is responsible for managing all the protected areas and forests plus environmental and wildlife related issues of Tamil...
. Very rare single fern trees, jamun and rudraksha
Rudraksha
Rudraksha Rudraksha Rudraksha (also Rudraksh; Sanskrit: ("Rudra's tears") is a large evergreen broad-leaved tree whose seed is traditionally used for prayer beads in Hinduism. The seed is borne by several species of Elaeocarpus, with E. ganitrus being the principal species used in the making of a...
trees, 26 species of cinnamon
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum that is used in both sweet and savoury foods...
and the Shenbagam flower tree highlight the plant biodiversity.
Evergreen rain forest once extended down the valleys and slopes of the Palani Hills almost to the plains. One relatively large patch of evergreen forest survives on the north-west edge of the Palani plateau west of the settlement of Kookal. It lies on the flanks and crest of a north-south ridge and is mostly between 2000 metres (6,561.7 ft) and 2100 metres (6,889.8 ft) elevation. There is also a stunted dry woodland on parts of the ridge crest. Beyond the forest is the most extensive remaining montane grassland wilderness of the Palani Hills, merging with Manjampatti Valley
Manjampatti Valley
Manjampatti Valley is a protected area in the eastern end of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, South India. It is a pristine drainage basin of shola and montane rain Forest with high biodiversity recently threatened by illegal land clearing...
in the Indira Gandhi National Park
Indira Gandhi National Park
Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park is a protected area named after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who visited the park on October 7, 1961. It is often called "Topslip", a village in the northeast corner of the park which is the main visitor center. This name is derived from the local...
.
Woody plants were inventoried in December 2004 in the Kukkal Reserve Forest. A total of
2279 stems belonging to 83 species, 68 genera and 40 families were inventoried. Of these, 16
species from 12 genera and 12 families were liana
Liana
A liana is any of various long-stemmed, woody vines that are rooted in the soil at ground level and use trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy to get access to well-lit areas of the forest. Lianas are especially characteristic of tropical moist deciduous...
s. The most abundant species (≥ 1 cm dbh) was Psychotria nilgiriensis var. astephana (Rubiaceae), which accounted for 12% of the stems sampled. Xantolis tomentosa var. elengioides had the
largest basal area. Lauraceae
Lauraceae
The Lauraceae or Laurel family comprises a group of flowering plants included in the order Laurales. The family contains about 55 genera and over 3500, perhaps as many as 4000, species world-wide, mostly from warm or tropical regions, especially Southeast Asia and South America...
was the dominant family accounting for 20% of the stems. About 30% of the species were endemic to the Western Ghats.
The Sholas are shrinking and wildlife population are threatened due to monoculture plantations of the Introduced species
Introduced species
An introduced species — or neozoon, alien, exotic, non-indigenous, or non-native species, or simply an introduction, is a species living outside its indigenous or native distributional range, and has arrived in an ecosystem or plant community by human activity, either deliberate or accidental...
pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
, eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
and wattle
Wattle
Wattle may refer to:*Wattle , a fleshy growth hanging from the head or neck of certain animals.*Wattle is another term for Congenital cartilaginous rest of the neck...
. Along with the encroaching trees, ground ferns are also eating into the grasslands, affecting both the flora and the fauna of the area.
Fauna
Two Wildlife corridor
Wildlife corridor
A wildlife corridor or green corridor is an area of habitat connecting wildlife populations separated by human activities . This allows an exchange of individuals between populations, which may help prevent the negative effects of inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity that often occur within...
s for Indian Elephant
Indian Elephant
The Indian Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to mainland Asia. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years...
s have been identified in the Palani Hills. One is from Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park through Amaravathy and Kudhiraiyar to the Palar Dam, then up the
valley almost to Ganesh Nagar, below Pethuparai. The second corridor is between Top Station
Top Station
Top Station is tourist destination which falls along the border of the state of Tamil Nadu. The region is part of constituency of bodi Theni district in Tamil Nadu....
in Kerala to Berijam. The two corridors may be linked in the Kukkal area, and studies are underway to verify the link.
Bison
Gaur
The gaur , also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations...
, mouse deer and barking deer
Indian Muntjac
The Common Muntjac , also called the Red Muntjac, Indian Muntjac or Barking deer is the most numerous muntjac deer species. It has soft, short, brownish or greyish hair, sometimes with creamy markings. This species is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, shoots, seeds, birds' eggs as well as small...
are commonly sighted. In 2007, Tiger
Bengal Tiger
The Bengal tiger is a tiger subspecies native to the Indian subcontinent that in 2010 has been classified as endangered by IUCN...
Pugmark
Pugmark
Pugmark is the term used to refer to the footprint of most animals . "Pug" means foot in Hindi...
s were seen in Kukkal shola. In 2006, a rare Manjampatti White Bison
Manjampatti White Bison
Manjampatti white bison are a type of gaur, occasionally seen in the Manjampatti Valley, a protected area at the eastern end of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, South India. These gaur are notable for their distinctive ash-grey color as...
was seen in a herd of about eight or ten normal coloured Bison grazing and resting on mountain downs above Kukkal. Kookal lake hosts a healthy otter
Oriental Small-clawed Otter
The oriental small-clawed otter , also known as Asian small-clawed otter, is the smallest otter species in the world, weighing less than 5 kg. It lives in mangrove swamps and freshwater wetlands of Bangladesh, Burma, India, southern China, Taiwan, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines,...
population. The Kookal sholas are noted for 165 species of butterflies, and a number of relatively uncommon birds such as the Wood pigeon
Wood Pigeon
The Wood Pigeon is a species of bird in the Columba genus in the Columbidae family. It is a member of the dove and pigeon family Columbidae.- Distribution :...
, Nilgiri Pipit
Nilgiri Pipit
The Nilgiri Pipit, Anthus nilghiriensis is a long near threatened bird species endemic to the Western Ghats in South India.It is closely associated with short montane grasslands interspersed with marshy grounds and small streams mostly in hill slopes above of Tamil Nadu and Kerala...
and 15 types of dabchick
Little Grebe
The Little Grebe , also known as Dabchick, member of the grebe family of water birds. At 23 to 29 cm in length it is the smallest European member of its family. It is commonly found in open bodies of water across most of its range.-Description:The Little Grebe is a small water bird with a pointed...
s.
Trekking
Many of these wilderness areas and various wildlife may be seen while trekkingBackpacking (wilderness)
Backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping for an overnight stay in backcountry wilderness...
in the area of Kukkal. It is not safe to trek in the area without a local guide.
- The Kookal caves, at about: 10°19′17"N 77°19′54"E, are ancient rock shelters that show traces of and are believed to be home to the descendants of the original Palaiyar (meaning "old ones") tribes who used to wear leaf clothing. The caves are overhanging slabs of different types of metamorphic rocks called charconite and granuliteGranuliteGranulites are medium to coarse–grained metamorphic rocks that have experienced high temperature metamorphism, composed mainly of feldspars sometimes associated with quartz and anhydrous ferromagnesian minerals, with granoblastic texture and gneissose to massive structure...
. Till the mid-1980s, over 30 families resided on the hill top, where a small temple is located.
- To reach Kukkal Caves, travel by bus from Kodaikanal to PoombaraiPoombaraiPoombarai is a village located in the heart of the Palani hills, from Kodaikanal at: . Altitude is .It is coming under ANJUR Poombarai is a village located in the heart of the Palani hills, from Kodaikanal at: . Altitude is .It is coming under ANJUR Poombarai is a village located in the heart...
and begin walking northwest. After walking through geranium plantations, and pine and wattle forest, the Kukkal Forest Rest house can he reached. From there is a 8 kilometres (5 mi) trail to the Kookal natural rock cave formations on a hill top. This stretch is leechLeechLeeches are segmented worms that belong to the phylum Annelida and comprise the subclass Hirudinea. Like other oligochaetes such as earthworms, leeches share a clitellum and are hermaphrodites. Nevertheless, they differ from other oligochaetes in significant ways...
-infested and best avoided during the monsoon.,.
- Kukkal - Kudiraiyar Dam - PalaniPalaniPalani is a city and a municipality in the Dindigul district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located about 100 km South of Coimbatore City and 60 km west of Dindigul...
: This is a difficult hike. Though the distance is only 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) a good hiker will take about 5 hours. From Kukkal, follow the foot-path leading to Pappampatti. After three kilometers this crosses the Kudiraiyar River and continues along the river. A waterfall 90 metres (295.3 ft) high can be heard to the left. Elephants are common here. You’ll walk though sholaSholaSholas are patches of stunted evergreen tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest found in valleys amid rolling grassland in the higher montane regions of South India. These patches of shola forest are found mainly in the valleys and are usually separated from one another by undulating...
s, and deciduous forest. On getting to Kudiraiyar Dam, take a bus to Palani and back to Kodaikanal.
- There is a trekking route from MannavanurMannavanurMannavanur , is a farming village of 1437 households in Mannavanor Panchayat, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, India, west from Kodaikanal It is by road from Kumbur village and from Kilanavayal village. Altitude is...
via Keelanavayal (90 mins.) to ManjampattI (3 hours) and Thalinji (2 hours) then to SH 17 (1 hr) and bus to UdumalaipettaiUdumalaipettaiUdumalai also known as Udumalpet is a town and a municipality in Tirupur district, Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Poor Man's Ooty, as it is called, the Udumalpet town is one of the famous summer resorts of Tamil Nadu, surrounded by Mountains on three sides.Its name in the ancient days was "UDUMALAI"...
.
- Another route is from Paricombai - Kukkal (8 km) - Kuthirayar-Pappanpatty-Kavalapatty (7 hours) then bus to PalaniPalaniPalani is a city and a municipality in the Dindigul district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located about 100 km South of Coimbatore City and 60 km west of Dindigul...
.
- Mannavanur is about an hour’s drive from Kodaikanal. Some popular trekking routes pass through the Sheep Research CenterSheep Research Center (Mannavanur)Southern Regional Research Centre is a regional centre of Central Sheep & Wool Research Institute , a premier Institution of Indian Council of Agricultural Research , New Delhi, under Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. SRRC was started on 16.11.1965 and it has completed 45 years of its...
. The route from Kavunji to Kukkal is fairly difficult.
From Kavunji take the footpath leading to Mannavanur. From there an old footpath leads to the sheep farm. Cross it and reach the Kodaikanal road. Follow the road to Kukkal. Enroute, there are pleasant meadows of the sheep farm. Above Kukkal you can see the caves where ancient men were living. Deer are common.
Visitor information
Tourists are required to get permission from the Forest Department to visit Kukkal or trek in the forest areas. Please contact: Government of Tamil Nadu, Tourist Office, Annasalai, Kodaikanal, 624 101, Tamil Nadu, India. PH; 04542- 241675. A trekking map is available from them. Bison Wells Lodge has a panoramic view of the eastern slopes of Kukkal ridge.External links
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