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Anamalai (Indira Gandhi) Wildlife Sanctuary
 Location
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90-Km from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Area
:
958-Sq-Kms
Recently Renamed As :
Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary
Spread over 958 sq kms, this sanctuary can be reached though Topslip in Anamalai Hills on the Western Ghats. An ecological Paradise, this sanctuary encompasses a National Park with an area of 108 sq kms. About 800 species out of 2000 South Indian Flora are distributed here.
This sanctuary nurtures Arboreal animals like lion tailed macaque, bonnet macaque, Comon Langur, nilgiris langur, Malabar Giant squirrel and Grizzled Giant Squirrel. The ground animals listed are: Tiger, Panther, Elephant, Gaur, Pangolin, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Wild boar, Dhole, Sloth Bear, Porcupine, Nilgiris TAhr, Civet Cat and Taddy Cat. The Avifauna includes Racket Tailed Drongo, Black Headed Oriole, Paradise Fly-catche, WhistlingThrush, Emerald Dove, Green pigeon, Tickell's Flower Pecker, Rufus Wood Pecker, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Black Eagle, Great Indian, Malabar pied HornBill, Fiary Blue Bird and green billed malkhoha etc.
The Park Reception Office and most of the places to stay are at Top Slip, which is 35-kms southwest of the town of Pollachi.
Entrance
Tourists visiting the park for the day can go directly to Top Slip. Tourists can also enter the park at Parambikulam in Kerala. The park is open from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm for day visitors.
Private vehicles can drive around in the park. Visitors can also hire one of the park department's vehicles to go around the park between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm (1 hr).
How To Get There
Air : Peelamedu airport is 10-km from Coimbatore city.
Rail : From Pollachi, there are trains to Coimbatore and Dindigul.
Road
: There are regular buses from Coimbatore and Palani to Pollachi, which is the nearest big town. There are two buses a day from Pollachi to the park, at 6.00 am and 3.00 pm. The bus returns to Pollachi at 8.00 am and 6.00 pm. Tourists can also hire a taxi from Pollachi.
Accommodation is available at the lodges in Top Slip, which must be to be booked in advance at the Wildlife Warden Office, 178 Meenkarai Road, in Pollachi. Accommodation is usually limited to only one night. Ambuli Illam at Top Slip, 2-km from the reception center is the best place to stay. It also has a restaurant.
There are several places to stay at Pollachi too.
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