Idukki district consist of five taluks: Thodupuzha, Devikulam, Idukki, Udumbanchola and Peerumedu. The district borders the Kerala districts of Pathanamthitta to the south, Kottayam to the southwest, Ernakulam to the northwest and Thrissur to the north and Coimbatore, Dindigul , Tiruppur and Theni Districts in Tamil Nadu to the east. The district is accessible only by road. Rail and airlink is not available. National Highway NH 49 and State highways 13 and 33 passes through the district.
Anamudi is the highest point in Idukki District and Kerala and South India.Anamudi and Meesapulimala are the 2 highest peaks in India south of the Himalayas, Anamudi is in the Kuttampuzha Panchayat of Adimali Block, in the Kannan Devan Hills Village of Devikulam taluk. Thirteen other peaks in the district exceed a height of 2,000 m (6,600 ft). The Periyar, Thodupuzhayar, Muthirappuzhayar and Thalayar are the important rivers of the district. Idukki Dam, Asia's largest Arch Dam is located at Idukki Township of Idukki Taluk. The point where the Periyar flows through the gorge formed between two high massive rocks known as "Kuravan" and "Kurathi" is the site of the Idukki arch dam.
Munnar was the summer resort of the British Government in the south. The town is situated at the convergence of three mountain streams namely Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Munnar has some of the largest tea plantations in the world. Kurinjimala Sanctuary to the east, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Manjampatti Valley and the Amaravati reserve forest of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary to the north east, the Eravikulam National Park and Anamudi Shola National Park to the north, the Pampadum Shola National Park to the south and the proposed Palani Hills National Park to the east.
Kurinjimala Sanctuary to the east, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Manjampatti Valley and the Amaravati reserve forest of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary to the north east, the Eravikulam National Park and Anamudi Shola National Park to the north, the Pampadum Shola National Park to the south and the proposed Palani Hills National Park to the east.
Ramakkalmedu (രാമക്കൽമേട്) is a hill station and a hamlet in the Idukki district. It is located about 15 km from Nedumkandam on the Munnar-Thekkadyroute.
Ramakalmedu stands tall in the Western Ghats at a height of 3500 feet above sea level. The ecosystem of the area consists largely of grass land Shola forest type which is laced by sporadic bamboo forests.
Constant wind is another factor which makes Ramakkalmedu unique. Wind blows at a speed around 35 km/ hour at Ramakkalmedu throughout the year irrespective of the season and time.Tourism villages like Pushpakandam and Kuruvikanam near Ramakkalmedu is one of the places in Kerala where wind energy farm is installed, though it is private holdings. Currently the capacity is at about 12.5 MW.This electricity is distributed to Kerala State Electricity Board. Ramakkalmedu has potential to produce more electricity, as it is said to be one of Asia's largest windiest area
Thekkady is located about 257 km (160 mi) from Trivandrum, 140 km from Madurai City and Madurai Airport, 145 km from Cochin International Airport and 114 km from Kottayam railway station. Thekkady is located near to Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The sanctuary is known for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannagrass lands. It is home to herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 777 km2 (300 sq mi), of which 360 km2 (140 sq mi) is thick evergreen forest. The wildlife sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attractions of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants, deers, bisons that come down to drink in the lake. The sanctuary can be accessed through a trekking, boating or jeep safari.
Maryoor has got a number of sandalwood forests. Processing of sandalwood and its associated oil forms part of local economy and a depot near Marayur town is supporting this industry. Sandal wood or Santalum album is a parasitic tree having a fragrant and close-grained yellowish heartwood. Sandalwood oil, also known as ‘liquid gold,’ is extracted from the roots and wood of sandalwood.
Elephants, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, wild boar etc. are seen here apart from various species of snakes including cobra, viper, kraits and numerous non-poisonous ones. Birds include grey jungle fowl, Malabar grey hornbill, several species of woodpeckers, bulbuls, flycatchers, etc. The wildlife here is similar to that of Thekkady. This sanctuary lies adjacent to the world renowned Idukki Arch Dam.
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