MADURAI CIRCLE
ABOUT MADURAI CIRCLE
Madurai Circle is an example of nature bounty with great scenic charm rich bio-diversity which is sprawled over an area of 1,33,956 Ha. Zelously guarded and efficiently managed Forests is a repository of rare endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of Vaigai, Varahanathi. Located in the Southern Western Ghats along the border with Kerala State. It is forms the Northern Western boundary of the Periyar Tiger Reserve and also shares its boundary with Srivilliputhur Giant Grizzled Squirrel Sanctuary of Virudhu nagar Circle and Trichy Circle. Southern boundary of Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary of Dindigul Circle and Munar Forest Division of Kerala.
The forest types at Madurai Circle range from the unique shola-grasslands at the higher elevations (1400m MSL ) to the moist, deciduous forests at lower elevations and dry scrub forests in the rain-shadow plains
Shola-grassland ecosystems are geographically isolated and complex due to its multiple levels of vegetation patchiness, where forests are found in depressions or folds of the mountain and are separated by grasslands.
These habitats show high endemism with several species being restricted to a narrow elevation band. The Southern Western Ghats are home to 15 large mammals of which seven species are endangered and two endemic to Western Ghats. There are 116 species of birds of which 10 species are endemic to Western Ghats.
The Schedule I mammals as per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, seen in this area are Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), Nilgiri langur (Trachypithecus johnii), Asian elephant (Elephasmaximus), Indian Gaur (Bos gaurus) and Leopard (Panthera pardus). Among mammals, Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur and dusky striped squirrel (Funambulus sublineatus) are endemic to the Western Ghats. The Nilgiri tahr, Asian elephant and wild dog (Cuon alpinus) are Endangered; Nilgiri langur, Dusky striped squirrel and Indian Gaur are Vulnerable; and the Leopard is Near Threatened as per the IUCN Red List.
Birds, the Nilgiri Wood-pigeon (Columba elphinstonii), Nilgiri Pipit (Anthus nilghiriensis), Yellow-browed bulbul (Iole indica), Malabar Whistling-thrush (Myiophonus horsfieldii), Indian Rufous babbler (Turdoides subrufus), Nilgiri Flycatcher (Eumyias albicaudata), Blue winged Parakeet (Psittacula columboides), Black and orange Flycatcher(Ficedula nigrorufa), Crimson-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia minima) and White-belliedTreepie (Dendrocitta leucogsatris) are endemic to the Western Ghats. The Nilgiri WoodPigeon and Nilgiri Pipit are Vulnerable and, the Nilgiri Flycatcher, Black and orange flycatcher and Grey Breasted Laughing Thrush are Near Threatened as per the IUCN Red List. Herpetofauna, the Travancore ground skink (Kaestlea travancoria) and Horsfield’s spiny lizard (Salea horsfieldii) are endemic to the Western Ghats.
II. Tourist spots are available in Madurai Forest Circle
Sl.No. Name of Tourist spot Name of Division
1 Kuttlampatty falls Madurai
Highways, Suruli falls 2 Megamalai Wildlife Division and Chinna suruli falls
3 Top station Theni Forest Division
Income generation activities are created in the above Eco tourism sites
The direct and indirect employment opportunities that will be created through the Kuttlampatty falls at Madurai Forest Division, Suruli falls at Megamalai Wildlife Division and Top station of Theni Forest Division of the various activities in the ecotourism initiative, approximately 20 to 25 Persons are employed directly in to the ETMC.
Increasing the tourister to our eco-tourism spot create the awareness and commitment to biodiversity conservation will be a major focus of this initiative. Our Circle is in the process of creating Interpretation center at various places with a dedicated interpreter will explain the shola-grassland habitat and the need to conserve grasslands and associated biodiversity.
Eco Tourism in Kutladampatti Falls
Kutladampatti falls has been provided with amenities such as a bathing platform, changing room, approach pathway and parking lot in the recent past. These amenities have added to the beauty of the falls. It is at a distance of above 30 km from Madurai. It is also easily approachable from dindigul. The falls attracts good number of visitors during peak season from September to January.
III. FOREST TYPES
1. 2A-C2 Southern Tropical West Coast semi-evergreen forests
2. 3B-C2 Southern Tropical moist mixed deciduous forests
3. 3B-C2-2S1 Southern Tropical secondary moist mixed deciduous forests
4. 5A-C3 Southern Tropical dry mixed deciduous forests
5. 6A-C2 Southern Tropical Carnatic Umbrella thorn forests
6. 5A-Ds1 Southern dry deciduous scrub
7. 4E/RS1 Riperan Fringing Forests
IV. Success Stories in implementation of the existing schemes
In our Circle through Village Forest Councils providing micro credit to the community which protect from the money lenders and improve their livelihood doing the small business.
In TAP, FDA, TBGP, Project elephant, WGDP schemes are implemented in our Circle efficiently which giving the good results. i.e. Soil and water conservation project increased the water level and also increase the productivity of agriculture, increase the forest cover, Protection of forest ensured employ the local people as a Anti poaching watchers.
TBGP Eco-tourism has been implemented in Kuttlampatty falls, Chinna suruli falls and Top station of our Circle yielded the good results.
In our circle directly employed 5 Nos. Tribals in out circle as a Forest watcher.
TBGP – TCPL plantation in Private Land: Plantation in Farmer’s field from the forest department has been successful in Madurai Circle. Farmers have shown good involvement, which resulted in high survival. These plantations have ameliorated the environment. They have assisted good yield of agricultural crops. On maturity of these plantations farmers derive good income.
One Special division namely Divisional Forest Office, Varusanadu Soil Conservation Divison, Theni is functioning in Theni under the control of Madurai Forest Circle.
KARNAL PENNYCUICK MANIMANDABAM - LOWER CAMP
SOTHUPARAI DAM VAIGAI DAM
HIGHEST PEAK OF MEESAPULIMALAI