Silent Valley - Created by nature, Preserved by Mankind

Silent Valley - Palakkad

The park is one of the last undisturbed tracts of South Western Ghats montane rain forests and tropical moist evergreen forest in India. Contiguous with the proposed Karimpuzha National Park to the north and Mukurthi National Park to the north-east, it is the core of the Nilgiri International Biosphere Reserve and is part of The Western Ghats World Heritage Site, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster under consideration by UNESCO.

The area is locally known as "Sairandhrivanam" literally, in Malayalam: Sairandhri's Forest.Silent Valley is home to the largest population of Lion-tailed Macaque, an endangered species of Primate. Public controversy over their habitat led to establishment of Silent Valley National Park.

The first English investigation of the watersheds of the Silent Valley area was in 1847 by the botanist Robert Wight. The British named the area Silent Valley because of a perceived absence of noisy Cicadas. Another story attributes the name to the anglicisation of Sairandhri. A third story, refers to the presence there of many Lion-Tailed Macaques.

Rare bird species found here include Ceylon Frogmouth and Great Indian Hornbill. The 2006 winter bird survey discovered Long-legged Buzzard, a new species of raptor at Sispara, the park's highest peak. The survey found 10 endangered species recorded in the IUCN Red List including the Red winged crested cuckoo, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Pale harrier. The area is home to 15 endemic species including the Black-and-orange Flycatcher. It recorded 138 species of birds including 17 species that were newly observed in the Silent Valley area. The most abundant bird was the Black bulbul.There are at least 34 species of mammals at Silent Valley including the threatened Lion-tailed Macaque, Niligiri Langur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Nilgiri Tahr, Peshwa’s Bat  and Hairy-winged Bat. There are nine species of bats, rats and mice.

Valley areas of the park are in a Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests Ecoregion. Hilly areas above 1,000 m are in a South Western Ghats montane rain forests region. Above 1,500 m, the evergreen forests begin to give way to stunted forests, called sholas, interspersed with open grassland. Both are very important to naturalists, biologists and other researchers because the rich biodiversity here has never been disturbed by human settlements. Several threatened species are endemic here. New plant and animal species are often discovered here.

How to Reach

BY RAIL: 

The nearest Railhead is Palakkad Junction (Olavacode) which is nearly 60 Kms away from the               base camp of the National Park, Mukkali .

Shornur junction , another  railhead is about 75 Km from the base camp of the National Park, Mukkali.

Coimbatore Junction in Tamil Nadu is also 45 km away from Mukkali, the base camp.

BY AIR:

Nearest Air Ports are Cochin (135KM), Coimbatore (55 KM) and Calicut (80KM).

BY ROAD:

From East: Palakkad (60 KM) and Coimbatore (45 KM)

From South : Thrissur (115KM) and Shornur (75 KM)

From North : Calicut (120KM)

The nearest town is Mannarkkad, which is 19 km from Mukkali.

GUIDES

Eco Development Committee members of Silent Valley National Park act as guides. The directions and advises of the guides shall be followed diligently while trekking inside the forests. Suggestions and complaints if any can be reported to the Office of the Asst.Wildlife Warden, Mukkali.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

• Come with a mind to learn more about nature and enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the place.
• Remember that you are visiting a very precious Rain Forest area and approach it with respect.
• Bring dull coloured cotton clothing, shoe,  camera, and other essential items.
• Light warm clothes are preferred during winter season.
• Liquor is strictly prohibited.
• Plastic carry bags and Plastic bottles are not permitted inside the Park.
• Carry your belongings in rucksacks or cotton bags
• Listen to your guide. Never make noise inside forest areas, do not walk alone and be always with the group.
• Littering of the forest area is a crime against nature.

ENTRANCE

Entrance fee                                       Bus Fare

                           Indian Nationals

Bonafide Students  25/ Head             175/ Head

Adults                    35/ Head             175/ Head

foreigners               220/ Head           175/ Head

   

                              

Camera Charge

Video Camera  200/ Day 

Still Camera  25/ Day 

Jeeps

Mukkali Drivers’ EDC, Jeeps

(6 persons)  1000/trip (Excluding entrance fee)

From November to February is the best time to visit Silent Valley National Park

Gallery

Images of Solent Valley National Park