Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Things to See and Do

SVNP forms the core area of NBR supporting a wide range of wildlife and home to the largest population of endangered Lion-tailed Macaque. SVNP is arguably the best place to spot rare and endangered species of birds like the Long-legged Buzzard, Red-winged Crested Cuckoo, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Black Bulbul, Pale Harrier, among others.

Established in 1940, MNP was the first of its kind in southern India located in Tamil Nadu. Situated on the banks of Moyar River, it was declared as a tiger reserve recently. The Crested Hawk Eagle, the Crested Serpent Eagle, the Malabar Trogon, the Malabar Grey Hornbill are spotted here, making it a must-go for bird-watchers.

NNP derives its name from ‘naga’, meaning snake and ‘hole’, meaning streams – referring to the countless streams that run through it. Lakshmana, Teesta, and Kabini are the three major rivers running through this park. Kabini river bank is one of the prime attractions here, where you can easily spot wild animals including tigers approaching the river to quench their thirst. The Kabini reservoir separates this park from BNP.

MuNP was upgraded from a wildlife sanctuary to a national park in 1990 to protect its keystone species, the Nilgiri Tahr. It was earlier known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park. Avifauna mostly consists of hill birds including Whistling Thrush, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit along with predatory birds like Black Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Kestrel.