Agastya Mala
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2012) |
| Agastyarkoodam | |
|---|---|
 A view of Agastyaarkoodam from the base | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,868 m (6,129 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,497 m (4,911 ft) |
| Coordinates | 8°36′58.64″N 77°14′44.62″E / 8.6162889°N 77.2457278°E |
| Geography | |
  Agastyarkoodam Thiruvanathapuram District, Kerala, India | |
| Parent range | Western Ghats |
Agastyaarkoodam is one of the peaks in the
Agastyaarkoodam is a
Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is among 20 new sites added by UNESCO to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves in March 2016. The International Co-ordinating Council added the new sites during a two-day meeting on 19 March 2016 in Lima, bringing the total number of biosphere reserves to 669 sites in 120 countries, including 16 transboundary sites. The biosphere reserve includes close to 300 rare bird species and more than 200 medicinal plants endemic to this region.[3]
Geography
Agastyaarkoodam is 32 km from
Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is part of the Agastyaarkoodam range. Part of the peak can be seen from the Upper Kodayar region.
Other major rivers which originate from the mountain are the
Trekking routes
The peak of Agastyaarkoodam. The route "Neyyar-Agasthyakoodam" is not open to the public.
Vehicles reach only till Bonacaud which is around 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The trek to the peak is 20 km long from Bonacaud and requires two days. The first part of the trek can be started from the base station Bonacaud in the early morning and is 14 km through the forest to the camp. Elephants and wild bulls are in abundance in this part, especially in the evenings. The final part i.e. the 6 km long trek can be done from the camp and crossing the border enters Tamil Nadu to reach the top of Agathyakoodam mountain on the second day.
Vegetation
The lower elevations of this peak are known for their abundance of rare herbs and medicinal plants. Around 2,000 medicinal plants used in Ayurvedic treatments are found here. Europeans, particularly those from England, were the first to establish tea gardens around the base stations of the mountain at Brimore, Bonacaud, and Ponmudi.
The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve harbours rare flora and fauna. Tourists are permitted to the area only with permission from the forest department of Kerala. Annual trekking passes to the peak are issued from the forest department during January–February only.
Important places
Manjolai Hills
Between elevations ranging from 1000 to 1500 metres, the Manjolai area is set deep within the Western Ghats within the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in the Tirunelveli District. Located on top of the Manimuthar Dam and the Manimuthar Water Falls, the Manjolai area has tea plantations, small settlements around the tea plantations, Upper Kodaiyar Dam, and a windy view point called Kuthiravetti.
The tea plantations and the whole of Manjolai Estates are operated by the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd on forest lands leased by the singampatti zamin. There are three tea estates in the Manjolai area — Manjolai Estate, Manimutharu Estate, and Oothu Estate. The estates are on elevations ranging between 2,300 and 4,200 feet (701 and 1,280 m). The estates, road, and the settlements in the Manjolai area are managed by the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd.
Former status prohibiting women
Prior to November 2018, women were forbidden to climb Agastyaarkoodam. After a court ruling which removed the prohibition, a woman, Dhanya Sanal, an Indian Information Service officer, reached the peak in 2019, becoming the first woman known to make the climb. Since the change in the law, more than 100 other women have registered for a license to make the climb.[8]
See also
- Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve
- Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education
- Thamirabarani River
- Tirunelveli
- Papanasam
- Anamudi - Highest peak in Western Ghats
- Tourism in Thiruvananthapuram
References
- ^ Google Maps
- ISBN 1-85168-175-2, page 17]
- ^ "UNESCO added Agasthya Mala to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016". The Economic Times. PTI. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
- ^ "Agastyaarkoodam-Agasthyamala- heaven for trekkers-hill station-Bird watchers paradise-reserve forest in Kerala - XploreSouth". xploresouth.in. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ "Agasthyakoodam Trek". keralatripguide.com.
- ^ "Passes for visiting Agasthyakoodam from January 9". EnteCity News.
- ^ "No Plastic This Time To Agastyaarkoodam; Trek Starts 15 Jan - Trivandrum News - Yentha.com". yentha.com.
- ^ Regan, Helen (18 January 2019). "Indian woman is first to climb Kerala mountain reserved for men - CNN". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ^ "Kerala govt removes Steve Irwin's name from croc park - India - DNA". Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ "Kerala News : Crocodile park sheds Steve Irwin's name". The Hindu. 6 June 2009. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
External links
- Agasthya Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre
- Information on Agasthyarkoodam Trekking or Agasthyamalai Trekking
