Silent Valley National Park, located in Palakkad (Palghat) district of Kerala, is one of the prime tourist attractions of the state. The park is a part of the bigger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. This park is famous as a tropical rainforest. Silent Valley National Park was declared a national park in year 1984, by the Government of India. Even before the declaration, this national park was ventured less by poachers. Other human activities are limited too, because of its remote location and its rugged terrain. The ecosystem here is extremely fragile due the kind of tropical forests which are found here. Moreover, the abundance of flora and fauna found veritably here can easily be disturbed by even very insignificant external influences. Silent Valley National Park forms the core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The park, almost opposite of its name, is full of natural and wildlife.
Geography
Silent Valley National Park is spread over an area of 90 sq km. It rises along with the Nilgiri plateau towards its north side. Towards south, it overlooks the plains of Mannarkkad. River Kunthi falls down from the Nilgiri Hills from an altitude above 2000 m above sea level. Although the river gets across the entire valley and rushes down the plains of the forest, its water remains crystal clear. This is one of the perennial wild rivers, which do not form a delta and traverses directly into the sea. The national park gets ample rainfall during the monsoons. However, the amount of rainfall at different parts of the park differs because of the varied topographical features.
Flora
There are over 1000 varieties of plants found in Silent Valley National Park. Most of the species are endemic to the Western Ghats. Most prominent species of flowers found here are the Orchids. The park is also home to A few of the rare varieties of the orchids, which include Oberonia bisaccata, Eriatiagii, Liparis indiraii and Ipsea malabarica. Other prominent species of flowers found in Silent Valley National Park include Orchidaceae, Febaceae, Rubiaceae and Asteraceae. The varieties of Orchids found here are almost absent in any other part of India.
Fauna
Silent Valley National Park is especially renowned for the diverse fauna found here. A wide variety of peninsular mammals are found in Silent Valley national Park, such as threatened Lion-tailed Macaque, Niligiri Langur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Nilgiri Tahr, Peshwa’s Bat (Myotis peshwa) and Hairy-winged Bat. The dynamic and varied climate of this area offers a habitat to a number of animals like tiger, leopard, leopard cat, jungle cat, fishing cat, Common Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Brown Palm Civet, Ruddy Mongoose, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Dhole, clawless otter, sloth bear, small Travancore flying squirrel, Indian pangolin, porcupine, wild boar, Sambar deer, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer and gaur.
Silent Valley National Park is full of surprises. One can become a part of a number of activities here. Jeep safari is the most sorted out things to do in Silent Valley National Park. Apart from this, the sanctuary houses a four-storey watch tower. Visitors are allowed to climb up the tower. The view from the tower is mesmerizing, as one can see only the vast expanse of lush greenery on all sides including the path of River Kunti. Trekking is yet another activity to do in this forest area. By trekking a little far from the watch tower, one reaches a swinging bridge over the Kunti River from where one can easily see tortoise resting on the banks of the river.
