The Nilgiris (The ‘Blue Mountains’)

Location

The Nilgiris are a range of low mountains (about 25

peaks are above 2000 m (6,600 ft) in height) located in

South India, mainly in the State of Tamil Nadu

Landscape

The Nilgiris have a combination of wilderness, and tea and eucalyptus plantations

Doddabetta Peak, at 2,637 m, is the highest point in the Nilgiris. There is also a peak called Snowdon! It is 2,530 m, and was named by the British, when they ruled India, because it reminded them of home.

People

The original tribes of the area are the Toda and Badaga

But the majority of the population is Tamilian, like in the surrounding areas

The entire Nilgiri district has about 7.3 million people in an area of about 2,450 square kilometres

The main occupations are working in the tea and eucalyptus plantations. Tourism is also a major industry

Tea

The N

The hills here are famous for their tea! There are many plantations

The variety available here is black tea

It is described as being a ‘dark, intensely aromatic, fragrant and flavoured

tea’

WildlifeThe Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is an internationally important area of wildlife,

and includes several national parks, the most famous of which is called

Mudumalai. Look at some of the animals that live here. In total there are

about 100 species of mammals, 350 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles, 40

species of fish, 30 species of amphibians, and 316 species of butterflies

Elephant

Tahir

Bonnet Macaque

Besra

Leopard

Bee Eater

Special Characteristics

This is the coolest part of Tamil Nadu, which is otherwise very hot. Down in the plains and coast, the temperature ranges between 20-45° C; up in the Nilgiris, it can go down to freezing.

The district capital is Uthagamandalam – called Ooty for short! The British built houses there to look like those in the Lake District. But it is still very Indian.

The nature reserves are wonderful fun to visit!