The Eravikulam National Park (ENP) in Kerala has a new attraction — a fernarium set up inside the park. This is the first time such a fern collection is being set up in the hill station.
Key details:
- That ferns are the ecological indicator of healthy forests.
- The climatic condition inside the ENP is more suitable for growing ferns.
- Ferns are part of the Epiphytic family.
- They grow naturally in a soilless condition.
- The plants obtain water and nutrients through leaching from trees.
About ENP:
- Eravikulam National Park is located in the Southern Western Ghats near Idukki, Kerala.
- The area of the park used to be managed as a Game Preserve till 1978 when the Government of Kerala elevated its status to that of a National Park.
- The area of the park was home to the now highly endangered Nilgiri Tahr.
- It was placed under protection in this habitat in 1975.
- Eravikulam National park is covered with high altitude grasslands.
- This park is full of undulating terrain and the highest peak in the region is Anamudi at 2695 meters.
- The three major kinds of vegetation in the area include:
Grasslands:
High plateaus and hills surrounding the park are primarily covered by the grasslands
Shrublands:
shrubland is more visible along the base of the cliffs
Shola forests:
- Shola forests are located in the valleys between the hills and plateaus.
- The Turner’s Valley is the deepest valley of this region and it roughly divides the park into two parts.
- This park is also the famous habitat of Neelakurunji which blooms only once every 12 years.
SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB