The Nilgiris

One of the most pristine environments on Earth, ‘The Nilgiris’ is the home to one of the unique and indigenous tribes ‘The Badaga’. Nilgiri is also a dwelling to many other tribes including The Todas, Kotas, Irulas and Kurumbas. The mountain district is located in the southern realms of the Indian subcontinent, within the state of Tamil Nadu. The Nilgiri Mountains are at the juncture of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, with an elevation ranging between 1000 to 2600 metres above the mean sea level (MSL).

The elevation of the mountains gives it a cooler climate than the surrounding area and the region also receives an annual average rainfall of 121 cm. The precipitation levels have been uneven in recent times as a result of global climate change. 

To the north of The Nilgiris is the forest of Bandipur National Park which further extends to the forests of Nagarhole Tiger Reserve and the plains of Mysore. To the northeast are the hills of Talaimalai which are also connected to the forests of Sathyamangalam. The Plains of Kongunadu (Coimbatore) lie in the east. Anaikatti ranges and Attapadi ranges lie in the South that further extends to the regions of Palakkad. Quick terrains of Kerala lie to the East of the Nilgiri mountains, that further reach the coastal regions connected to the Arabian Sea. 

The politically divided district has a total area of about 2550 square kilometres. The administrative capital is Udhagamandalam or Othagae, and other major points include Coonoor, Kotagiri, Kundha, and Gudalur. 

The mountains cover several important physical features. One is the Doddabetta, which means big mountain (Dodda - big: Betta - Mountain) in the Badaga language. The peak is 2637 metres (8650 feet) high, making it the highest in the Nilgiri mountains and the fourth highest in south India. Next, the Ketti Valley, one of the largest valleys in the world, gives a picturesque view of the valley surrounded by mountains. Named after the ancient Badaga village Ketti, located in the valley, it is an awesome scene of lush greenery and picturesque Badaga villages. 

The Nilgiris is also an important biosphere reserve in India, which is also the largest protected forest area in the country. These mountains are also the core region of the biodiversity hotspots as declared by UNESCO. The Nilgiris are renowned for their rich biodiversity, hosting a variety of flora and fauna. The region is adorned with dense forests, primarily classified as tropical montane rainforests and sholas (shrub forests). The evergreen forests are home to a diverse range of plant species, including unique orchids, ferns, and the famous Nilgiri Tahr and the Nilgiri blue mountain flowers.

The Nilgiri mountain scape, aptly named the "The Queen of Hill Stations," unfolds like a mesmerising canvas of undulating hills and mist-draped peaks in the heart of the Western Ghats.  The hills, shrouded in a mystical blue haze, reveal their true beauty during the early hours, offering panoramic vistas of cascading waterfalls. The Nilgiri mountains are not just beautiful to look at; they are also home to many different plants and animals in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Simply put, these mountains showcase the beauty of nature.