Mathikettan Shola National Park, in Idukki district, sits between other reserve forests such as Eravikulam National Park and Pampadam Shola National Park. Originally used to encourage cardamom plantation, it was declared a national park in 2003 to protect the environment, ecology, flora, and wildlife, and now stands as a conservatory for both.
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Meaning of Mathikettan
'Mathikettan' - the name of the park, is derived from Tamil directly translating to 'mind confuser.' This is credited to the belief that one may lose their way once they enter the forest.
The vast forest plays a vital role in the environment serving as a biodiversity hot spot. The tall forests transform into a natural sanctuary where it also is an excellent spot for bird-watching. Tourists may even spot animals such as elephants, tigers, panthers, rat snakes, flying squirrel, giant grizzled squirrel, king cobra, crocodiles, Nilgiri tahr, spotted deer among others.
Adventure Activities & Animal Spotting in the Forest
This park is highly appropriate for trekkers and ones who seek adventure due to its undulating terrain and multiple paths, and the possibility of losing your way in the forest. It also is an excellent place for wildlife photographers as many animals can be spotted easily. It is a guaranteed adventure of a trip with its winding paths, tall trees and varied array of wild animals. Not only do people lose their way through the forest, but it has also been noted that even elephants that wander in the forest from another lose their way and tend to get stuck there. The promise of a true adventure is what makes this park a must-visit, and it certainly deserves a spot in every traveller's itinerary.
History of Mathikettan Shola National Park
Notified initially as a reserve forest by the Travancore government in 1897, part of the land was intended for cardamom production. The Mathikettan region was a part of the Cardamom Hummock Region or CHR as reported in the Travancore government journal on 24th August 1897. The region was also reported to a reserve forest in the journal under Section 18 of Regulation I of 1068. The region was declared to be a national park in November 2003 to preserve and protect wildlife and its environment. Certain parts of the forest are still used for cardamom production.
It is located in the Idukki district of Kerala between other national reserve forests such as Eravikulam National Park and Pampadam Shola National Park. It covers an area of 12.82 km² thus giving way to a wide range of flora and fauna.
Flora and Fauna at Mathikettan Shola National Park
The forest includes many tall trees, medicinal herbs, animals, reptiles and a wide array of birds. The forest is adorned with orchids, ferns, lichen and mosses; and with medicinal herbs such as litsea wightiana, chionanthus ramiflorus, syzygium gardneri, callophyllum austro-indicum, bhesa indica etc. Animals and reptiles such as elephants, tigers, panthers, flying squirrel, giant grizzled squirrel, jungle cat, wild dog, crocodiles, Nilgiri tahr, spotted deer, turtles and lizards; snakes such as king cobra, cobras, vipers, rat snakes and pythons inhabit here.
This region receives a fair amount of yearly rainfall (2000 - 2700 mm) and overall has a cloudy and misty environment. The highest temperature is 40°C, and the lowest is 10°C. The recommended time for visitation is between November and March.
Source There are plenty of other activities one can engage in here such as trekking. The nearest city is Munnar which is beautiful in itself and also deserves a visit. One may also visit the Western Ghats, Kumarakom and Thekkady which are all in the park's vicinity.
