Top Slip

Introduction

The 958 km2 “Top Slip” is one of the ever green location in southern India. It’s part “Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary (IGWS) ” and “Indira Gandhi National Park (IGNP)” which is located in Western Ghats. The area around this panoramic mountain is called “Anamalai” or “ Elephant Hills”. Top Slip is at an altitude of 800 meters and it’s in the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu states. Separated from the Nilgiri Hills by the Palghat Gap on the north, the Park is contiguous to the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) to its west and to the Eravikulam National Park (Kerala) and Chinnar WLS to its south Indira Gandhi national park - a place known for its great swathes of forests and wildlife - birds, butterflies, elephants, sloth bears, leopards, tigers, panthers, gaurs (Indian Bison), dholes (wild dogs), king cobra and the lion-tailed macaques in their natural habitat - all within an area known as Top Slip. Further it’s heaven for the bird watchers, botanist, trekkers , hikers and natural lovers.

Meaning behind Top Slip

The name top slip comes from the practice carried out in 19th century, of sliding logs of teak timber down the hills that took place in this area. Top Slip is a little hamlet in the Annamalai hills where teak was introduced during the British Raj. In the colonial days, the harvested timber used to be 'slipped' to the plains from the hills through a narrow canal – hence the reason for its name

Location Atmosphere

Top Slip is a tiny village where you get all tourism information, it has a reception and information centre, guest lodging, a canteen run by a co-operative, a ration shop and the Forest Department's office. Since this is a restricted zone, elephant safaris and jeep rides into the sanctuary are organised by the Forest Department at a nominal cost. One could also take a walk into the jungle with the permission of the Forest Department who send a tribal guide to accompany you.

Top slip Forest

IGNP is an Indomalayan Malabar Rain forest and the Tropical Humid biome comprises primarily of wet evergreen, sub-tropical evergreen, moist deciduous, dry deciduous, semi-evergreen and montane-shola grasslands. The terrain here is thickly wooded hills, plateaus, deep valleys and rolling grasslands. Altitude ranges from 340m to 2,510m and annual rainfall varies between 800 mm to 4500 mm . Both southwest and northeast monsoons occur here.. The area is drained by several perennial and semi-perennial river systems like the Kallar and Sholaiar rivers and contains man-made reservoirs such as Aliyar and Thirumurthy. The main geological formations in the area are hornblende-biotite and garnetiferous biotite gneissus, charnockites and plagiodase porphyry dykes. Soil on the slopes consists of sandy loam.

Transportation, Entrance and Accomedation

There are regular buses from pollachi a fair sized town south of Coimbatore. The usual route is to travel by road from Coimbatore (40 km) )/ Palakad (40 km)/ Palani (68 km) to Pollachi to the Wildlife Warden's Office and then by road to Top Slip (35 km), the entry point to the Park. There are regular buses from Coimbatore and Palani to Pollachi and there are two buses a day from Pollachi to Top Slip leaving Pollachi at 6 am and 3 pm. The bus returns to Pollachi at 12 am and 8 pm. Hired cars/taxis are also available at Pollachi. Other wise you can take other buses (frequency is higher) to Sethumadai ((23 kms from Pollachi) and take taxi to Top Slip. Top slip has plenty of awesome government lodges, wooden hosuses and rest houses, which require prior permission from the Department of Forestry in Pollachi (Wildlife Warden Office, 178 Meenkarai Road, Pollachi (near by railway station), Ph: 04259-225356) and these are very convenient for over night stay. Even though food is served in the canteen. Better you can bring some snaks and crackers. While require permission you can choose the type of the accommodation as per your convenient (Mt. Stuart Rest house ,Horn-bill, Tree-top hut, Chital house, Bison house, Ambuli Illam). There are Forest Rest Houses at Top slip Varagaliar, Amaravathi, Sethumadai.The Ambuli Illam Guesthouse, at Top slip, 2km from the reception center, is the best place to stay. It has a restaurant. The Public Works Department (PWD) Rest houses at Udumalpet and Amaravathi, Electricity Board (TNEB) Rest House at Attakatti. Accommodation is usually limited to only one or two nights at a location. Alternatively, one could stay at Pollachi or Coimbatore where there are several places to stay and do day trips to Top Slip. Sakthi Hotel , Coimbatore Rd, Pollachi has rooms for INR 370- INR 750. with A/C ( Tel: 04259 2223060). Hotels like City Tower and Surya International have been recommended at Coimbatore. On the way to the “Top Slip” you need to give your documents and/or application forms in forest check-post. Approximate one hour journey will bring you the IGNP reception centre.

Camps

Kothalai camp is around 6 kms inside the forest. The charges in this camp are around 1000 for a group of and in addition to it 2 guides and a gunman. 12 kms from the kothalai camp is the kottaivali which also has the same charges as kothalai camp. Both these camps are in karimalai range. Then there is the orukombankutti camp also in the orukomban range. This camp is around 12 kms in the jungle and has the same charges as of the above mentioned two camps. The cheapest camp is however the bison valley lodge which charges only rs 150 per head. There is also a community hall for large groups. This hall can accommodate 30-35 people and per head one has to pay rs 80.it is compulsory to hire a jeep to enter any of these places. While on a visit to Anaimalai these camps are an excellent option to stay. In the midst of the nature these camps prove helpful in bonding one with nature.

Herbal House

There is also is “Medicinal Plants Interpretation Center” at Topslip, the first of its kind in India, cultivates medicinal plants. The center displays information about endangered and endemic medicinal plants and Indian systems of medicine by qualified ayurvedic and siddha vaidyas (doctors).

Wildlife in Indira Gandhi National Park

· Lion tailed macaque

· Bonnet macaque, Common Languor

· Nilgiris Langur

· Malabar Giant squirrel

· Grizzled giant Squirrel

· Tiger · Panther

· Elephant

· Gaur

· Pangolin, Sambar

· Spotted Deer

· Barking Deer

· Mouse Deer

· Wild Boar

· Dhole

· Sloth Bear

· Porcupine

· Nilgiris Tahr

· Civet Cat

· Toddy Cat

Birds in Indira Gandhi National Park

A large number of people all over the world enjoy bird watching in India. There are over 1200 species of birds found in the India and at least 500 species alone in the Indira Gandhi Sanctuary or Indira Gandhi National Park. In here birds are colorful, lively and interesting to listen to. Bird watching does not require a lot of equipment; just a good pair of binoculars and a field guide that helps identifies the bird.

The birds of this particular region are: -

· Racket Tailed Drongo

· Black Headed Oriole

· Paradise Flycatcher

· Whistling Thrust

· Emerald Dove

· Green Pigeon

· Tickell's Flower Pecker

· Rufus Wood Pecker

· Rose Ringed Parakeet

· Black Eagle

· Great Indian Malabar Pied Horn Bill

· Fiary Blue Bird

· Green Billed Malkhoha

Getting Started: The best way to start bird watching is to go with someone who has been birding for a while in Indira Gandhi Sanctuary. You will find many local birding clubs. Many good bookshops in Tamil Nadu have a selection of books, magazines and tapes on bird watching. A person will identify common local species using their field guide.

Choosing a Bird Guide: The guide includes information about habitats and maps showing range of different birds found in Tamil Nadu and where and when they migrate and what their song or call sounds like. The better guides show seasonal color changes, similar appearing species, and provide information on how to tell them apart. The guides also give information about the various birding sites in Indira Gandhi Sanctuary.

Range Maps shows areas in Indira Gandhi Sanctuary or Tamil Nadu, inhabited by a particular bird. This is helpful in eliminating similar appearing species. Range maps also tell when the species are in the area. Some birds are year round residents in this sanctuary, some are found only in the summer or winter, some pass though during migration to other parts of Tamil Nadu or India or maybe even overseas. Through the use of different symbols and colors, range maps can tell a the visitor about these things

Flora in Indira Gandhi National Park

The variety of India's climate and geography is reflected in its rich flora & fauna. The beautiful land of jungles is the best place in the world to see. India has for years on attracted the attentions of wildlife specialists.

The vegetation or Flora in Indira Gandhi National Park comprises some 8,000 species of plants. The jungles in Indira Gandhi Sanctuary are thick and wooded with the flora to back up the fabulous fauna. There are evergreen forests in Indira Gandhi National Park, which are moist and deciduous forests and the lagoons and estuaries, sheltering unique forms of plant and animal life. The dry deciduous, the semi-evergreen, and the wet temperate habitat of this park contain teak, rose wood and many miscellaneous tropical species.

Some of the rare and endangered species of flora, which are found in, this sanctuary is: -

· Combretum Ovalifolium

· Dispyros nilagrica

· Gymnopteris Contaimirans

· Habebarai reriflora.

· Polypodum pleroupus

· Alsophila

· Bulbophyllum sp

· Lasianthus uenuloses

· Angiopterris Erectra

· Gnetum Ula

· Impaliens Elegans

· Lycopodium cernum

· Ranunculus reniformis & Osmunda Regulis.

The best time to visit the park is from January to February and June. It is suggested that you have your own vehicle to visit the park. It can be chilly in the winter. The rains start in the month of July in Tamil Nadu and measure from 500 mm to 5000 mm, the least rainfall is on the eastern slopes and most rainfall is on western slopes.

Trekking in Top Slip

This place is greatly known for its scenic nature and it is also a right place for any visitor who desires to give an initial kick-off in trekking. Trekking in this hill will be the best start for a novice! You can follow quite different trekking routes and each trekking route will differ from simple to difficult trek! Quite few simple treks that could be taken are Pandaravara is merely 8 km, Kozhikamuthu is 12 km (Kolambumalai (5 hrs moderately difficult trek), Karian Shola forest (2 hrs easy trek)). These places are merely easy to trek whereas the difficult places of trekking include the Perunkundru, which is 32 km. To start your trek, you must have to get permits from the respective Range authorities at the Topslip.

Mt Stuart Block is located a short three kilometers from Top Slip and is home to an ancient forest department bungalow. The grave of Hugo Wood can be found there. Hugo Wood was a British officer that made sure that teak wood saplings were planted to replace any teak timber that was harvested. His tombstone is inscribed with a Latin phrase that translates to mean “If you want to see me, look around". This area has many bears there, so sighting one is definitely a possibility. Be cautious where you step though, because so many bears mean a large amount of droppings and pug marks.

Elephant Camps

Kolikamuthi Elephant Camp

The Kolikamuthi Elephant Camp is a rather exclusive place that elephants are kept trained and housed. There are 50 Malisar tribe families that live at this particular camp. The Malisar tribe belongs to the elephant handler's caste, so these families are especially skilled in working with these Asian elephants. The only way to travel into this remote elephant camp is by forest jeep. You must also receive special permission from the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary Rangers to even travel into this elephant camp. These requirements make this elephant camp an especially intriguing experience since relatively few people actually get to visit there.

Varagaliar Elephant Camp

The Varagaliar Elephant Camp is in as remote of an area as is possible. It is located right on the fringe of the core forest. 21 domesticated elephants claim this camp as home. These elephants have not been trained to be used with tourists. Instead, these elephants are primarily used to assist with any conflicts that occur between wild elephants and man in the nearby Valparai Plateau. At this location it is becoming more and more common for elephants to intrude on tea gardens. It is very rare for someone to receive permission to visit this particular elephant camp. If permission is to be obtained, you must talk with the Deputy Conservator of Forests. Only a forest jeep can get you into this remote location.

Tribes settlement around Topslip

There also exist tribal settlements within the sanctuary—the Kadar settlement of Erumaparai is located 1.5 km from Topslip, and the elephant camp at Varagaliar is inhabited mainly by Malasars and Pulayars. The 2 sites are 23 km apart by road. These Dravidian tribes are very much attached to their social tradition and systems are abided by all village. Society has important role to deal with the disputes. They are traditionally hunter gathers. Speak poor (early stage) language of Tamil and Malayalam mix. Possess good knowledge of forest medicine but keep them secret. These Malasars religiously attached to spirits and worship Vana Devata (forest god). Yearly two times they worship in the same time they also punish the god for any unwanted happening in the village by getting rid of the deity and change the place of idol. That way even God is accountable. During rituals they get in contact with spirits for communication and dance. Main traditional dance is Kummi attam (Similar to this dance also is popular in Tamilnadu and Kerala) view the clip by clicking woman with child photo. Women too participate in all social gatherings and rituals. Traditionally, marriage with other community is discouraged.

Entry formalities:

1. If you are visiting the park for the day you can go directly to Top Slip (Entry INR 50). The Sethumadai checkpost is the entry point to IGNP.

2. In case you plan to stay at Top Slip, accommodation must be booked in advance at the: Wildlife Warden Office. ( Open Monday to Friday between 9 am to 5 pm)

3. Park entry time is between 6.30 am and 6 pm.

Park details and tips:

1. Private vehicles can be drive to the park. Top Slip is best enjoyed if a car is hand at all times. However, inside the Top slip you can not use your own vechecle. On the other hand, you can enjoy the transportation facilities from forest department vechcles.

2. It is possible to walk around the park. You must have a Park Guide with you and you are allowed to walk in the park for a maximum of four hours for INR 70 per person.

3. There is provision for a conducted bus ride from the Park Reception Office and riding elephants may also be available.

4. Local food and refreshments are available at the facility run at the Tourist Complex, Top slip. 5. Ticks and leeches can be a serious menace, specially in the summer months. Carry protection and stick to tracks.

6. Many lone male elephants at Top Slip are known rouges, travel on foot with a guide.

7. Accommodation in the Park is very basic and it is best to carry sleeping bags and emergency supplies.

8. A booking at a particular guesthouse may not assure you of accommodation at it. The final allocation decision is left to the Department staff at Top Slip. A provision shop functions near the reception area and reasonably stocked for necessities.

9. Tourism seems to be low priority at this Park - be prepared for inadequate support from Forest Deptt. staff.

Summary

Name of location

Top Slip, Pollachi, TN, India.

Longitude

76°00' - 77°56' E; Latitude: 10°12' - 11°07' N

Temperatures

Min 2°C (winter); Max 25°C (summer)

Season

Between May to June and October to March

Off – Season

March/ April to May (Mostly park will be closed )

Transportation

Flight Service - Coimbatore

Train Service - Coimbatore & Pollachi

Bus Service - Pollachi & Sethumadai


Features

Mountain walks/Hiking, Excellent safari around the periphery of the National Park , Herbal/ Nature walks

Birding Watching, Wildlife Safari at Top Slip , Visit to Tribal Villages

Nearby Tourist sides

Anamalai, Aliyar, Monkey falls, Chinnar, Grass hills,

Amaravathi reservoir (popular for crocodiles), Attakatti etc.,


Language

Tamil, English

Informations & Forest permission

Wildlife Warden Office, 178 Meenkarai Road, Pollachi Near by railway station (10 min bus ride from bus station) Ph: 04259-225356

Links

http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/ws_igws.html http://www.indiawildlifeportal.com/indira-gandhi-sanctuary/index.html

Journey To Top Slip

Wild Lifes in National Park

Accomedations


Elephant Paradise

Wildlife Warden Office in Pollachi

Wooden Houses