Meghamalai Hills

Meghamalai

Meghamalai popularly called the Highwavy Mountains or Paccha Kumachi" which means green peak, is a mountain range situated in the Western Ghats in Theni district, Tamil Nadu near to Kumily, Kerala. It is dotted with cardamom plantations and tea estates. The place is situated at an elevation of 1,500 m above sea level and it is rich in flora and fauna. This area, now mostly planted with tea, includes Cloudlands, Highwavys, Venniar and Manalar estates, the access to which is now largely restricted. It still includes large untouched remnants of evergreen forest.

Vegetation ranges from scrub forests at the foothills, up to ubiquitous expanses of tea and coffee estates, to pepper, cardamom, cinnamon plantations and finally to the dense evergreen forests at the top.

Meghamalai forest area hosts a variety of birds namely, Rare Indian hornbills are found here.These great Indian hornbill is one of the largest hornbills and these are found from sea level up to 5,000 feet (1,500 m). Hornbills are famous for their nesting ritual. They are becoming rare, mainly due to their hunting for their meat and destruction of their habitat. Protection and restoration of destroyed forest areas will aid the conservation of hornbills in the region.

Like the Indian Hornbills, another endangered species also found in Megamali forest, the Grizzled giant squirrel is brown in color and it resembles the size of a small cat.It jumps from one tree to another and its looks like flying animal.

Resident and migratory elephants are common. Other animals sighted are tiger, leopard, Nilgiri tahr, gaur, spotted deer, barking deer, sambar deer, wild boar, porcupine, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, common langur, bonnet macaque, sloth bear, grey junglefowl, smooth-coated otter and flying squirrel.

Bird like red-whiskered bulbul, common iora, white-browed wagtail, grey wagtail, pied bush chat, Blyth's reed warbler, barn swallow, spotted dove, Asian paradise flycatcher, brahminy kite, long-tailed shrike and over 100 species of birds have been identified.

Tea estates and Coffee

The Highwavys afford a view of the entire mountain range of Varusanadu Hills. There are large private tea, spices and coffee plantations all around, notably the Highwavys Estates owned by the Woodbriar Group, Ananda Plantations, Ponsiva Plantations and Fieldmede Estate, which has the largest holdings of plantations in Meghamalai, an artificial lake and plenty of scope for making leisurely walks. Kardana Coffee Estate is situated in the High Wavy Mountains at 9°42′N 77°24′E.

Falls

Dams

Six dams on the hill and originating place of Suruli Theertham (Suruli falls near Cumbum town) are popular attractions for tourists. From Manalar dam, one can view the deep Cumbum Valley and the villages of Theni district. The Department of Tourism has planned to introduce a boat or ferry service to enable tourists to access the area.

Vellimalai

The Vellimalai (Silver Mountain, 1,650 m) area is a heart of Meghamalai. Silver-lined clouds seem to rest gently on green hilltops; nestled in this region is the place where the river Vaigai originates. This place offers an opportunity to see wild animals and aesthetically and scientifically managed tea gardens.

Meghamalai Falls (also called Suruli Falls) is on the Suruli River originating in the Meghamalai Hills. Water flows down 190 feet through the twin falls year-round. There are frequent visits by elephants, spotted deer, gaur and other wild animals at dawn and dusk. Forest Department officials have plans to assist tourists in viewing these wild animals.

How to Reach Meghamalai

The Meghamalai mountain range can be approached two ways from Theni via Chinnamanur, and from Andipatti via Kandamanayakkanur. Both Theni and Andipatti can be accessed by road from Madurai and Dindigul. Theni is 76 km from Madurai. The approach via Chinnamannur has more scenery. Only forest lodges and panchayath rest houses are available at the hill top. Day trippers may stay in hotels in Theni, Chinnamanur and Andipatti. The distance from Madurai is 130 km.

Visiters Tips

• Ensure that you choose the right season and the right time to visit Megamalai. Although its pleasant throughout the year, its best between October and Jan
• Although the entire place is referred to as "Megamalai", the real beauty actually lies in the areas beyond the Megamalai. They are Highwavys, Lower Manalar, Upper Manalar, Vattaparai, Maharajamettu, Iravangalar dam, Thoovanam dam, Vanniar dam, Thekkady dam etc. It requires a little trek it seems to reach those places. 
• The entire Megamalai hills was under private control till 2009. It was during 2009 that the place was declared as a Wildlife sanctuary after which it was opened up for public access. Its probably owing to this long deniance of public access, ill-maintained roads and not being in the radar of tourism, that Megamalai manages to retain its pristine beauty. The Govt. has plans of promoting this place for tourism. Roads being repaired, boat services in the lake etc. Hence before it becomes one more commercial pot boiler like an Ooty or Kodai and gets spoilt, ensure you make it to this place.
• The roads leading from the foothills till the upper manalar, all the way is completely ravaged. Do not take a chance with your family car. It requires a SUV or a 4X4 drive. Bike might be an option if you are willing to bear the back-breaking bumpy ride. However considering the remoteness of the place, its better not to find yourself caught in the middle of nowhere with tyres punctured. Public buses do ply every 3 hrs from Theni. But it won't let you have the fun of stopping at your own leisure and enjoy the surroundings. Hence its ideal to book a cab. It not only gives you the flexibility of visiting places of your choice, it will also save you from a gruelling drive behind the wheels.
• In most places you will not receive mobile signal except for BSNL users. So people who are fussy about it, better carry a BSNL sim. Others, who like me, prefer to stay disconnected to the world back home and get connected to the nature here enjoy the detachment!!
• People who are keen on animal watching can opt for a early morning walk at 6 am towards the Vattaparai or Maharajamettu. If you are lucky enough, can sight the odd wild animals or the elephants visiting the lake for a drink.
• The place is infested with leeches. A few seconds of landing your feet on damp grass and the next moment you will have half a dozen uninvited visitors creeping up your legs. Better to wear a 3/4th and sandals so that it will help you notice that these blood suckers are on their way up. Carry a bottle of concentrated salt water to remove them off your body incase they stick to you.
• The route via Chinnamanoor is worth taking for its scenery
• Some of the options before (or after) visiting Megamalai are Chinna suruli falls in varusanadu, Suruli falls near cumbam, Kumbakkarai & Sothuparai falls in periyakulam. All these are less than a couple of hours drive from Theni
• There are only 3 food outlets in Megamalai. Senthil Mess, Murugan tea shop and another one.