Silent Valley National Park in Kerala, India – Sairandhrivanam Wildlife Sanctuary

Silent Valley National Park, locally known as Sairandhrivanam or Sairandhri Vanam, is one of the major national parks in India, located in the Nilgiri Hills, Palakkad District in Kerala. Declared as a National Park in 1980, the major attraction of Silent Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is the unique preserve of tropical evergreen rain forests. Botanist Robert Wight is the first historically explorer of Silent Valley Park in 1847. Silent Valley is part of The Western Ghats World Heritage Site, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster and is under consideration by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Silent Valley National Park is listed as one of the major tourist attraction in India and the first among the major places to visit in Kerala. 

Silent Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is home to wide range of flora and fauna. Owing to the rich biodiversity, Silent Valley Park is considered to be very important for biologists, naturalists, and other researchers. Kuntipuzha River which flows through the park is noted for its clear crystal and pesticide-free catchment area.  Kunthi River drains the entire 15 km length of the park. 

Silent Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is home to numerous threatened species. Endangered primates Lion-Tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Langur can be found here. The park also houses the Stripe-necked Mongoose, Hairy-winged Bat, Indian pangolin (scaly anteater), Nilgiri Tahr, Peshwa’s Bat (Myotis peshwa), Malabar Giant Squirrel, Dhole, Sambar, Small Indian Civet, Leopard (panther), and Tiger.

The rare bird species Great Indian Hornbill and Ceylon Frogmouth can be spotted at Silent Valley forests. The endangered bird species Malabar Pied Hornbill, Pale harrier, and Red Winged Crested Cuckoo are also protected here. Other main bird species found in Silent Valley National Park include Nilgiri Laughing Thrush, Grey-headed Bulbul, Nilgiri Wood-pigeon, Wynaad Laughing Thrush, Broad-tailed Grassbird, and Rufous Babbler.

Silent Valley National Park is around 40 km from Mannarkkad, in Palakkad district of Kerala, India. The nearest railway station is the Palakkad Railway Station in Kerala, about 80 km away.

Tourist planning to visit the Silent Valley National Park by flight should reach the Coimbatore Airport in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. The Coimbatore Airport is about 55 km away. From the airport tourists need to reach the park by car, bus or by train.

More details about Silent Valley National Park can be seen at General Knowledge Quiz Blog

http://www.generalknowledgequizblog.com/2010/12/silent-valley-national-park-in-palakkad.html