Meghamalai

Meghamalai, commonly known as High Wavy Mountains, a chilly and hazy mountain range nestles in the lap of Western Ghats in Theni district of the state of Tamil Nadu in India. This natural scenery is spotted with cardamom plantations and tea estates.

The hill station is placed at an altitude of 1,500 m above sea level and enjoys rich flora and fauna. The region is planted with tea, which includes Cloudlands, Highwavys and Manalaar estates. The territory holds a large area untouched bits and pieces of evergreen forest.

The hills also form a part of the Varushanad range of hills in Western Ghats. The hills also share a common edge with Periyar Tiger Reserve, the land for long teemed with elephants, tigers and other wildlife. Megamalai also hosts a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and butterflies. The most commonly seen animals are Tiger, Leopard, Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Porcupine, Nilgiri Langur, Lion-Tailed Macaque, Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Sloth Bear, Grey Jungle Fowl, Smooth-Coated Otter and Flying Squirrel. It is also an ideal place for bird watching as it houses over 100 species of birds.

The flora of the Meghamalai hills includes scrub forests at the foot of the hills, wide stretches of tea and coffee gardens, spice farms of pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and the thick lush green forest cover.

The Meghamalai ranges is also identified as the birth place of the Megamalai fall. The waters falls down in a stream and is known as the Clouds Land Falls and serves as the meeting place for many wild animals. Another important range around Megamalai is Vellimalai, also known as the Silver Mountain.