Kerala's national parks run from Silent Valley to Pampadum Shola, and Eravikulam holds Anamudi, the highest point in South India

Background

The Kerala Forest Department lists Silent Valley, Eravikulam, Anamudi Shola, Pampadum Shola and Mathikettan Shola as the national parks of the State, all regulated under the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972.
Silent Valley National Park lies in the Nilgiri Hills, is a tropical moist evergreen forest and is watered by the Kunthipuzha River; its endangered fauna include the lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur and the Malabar giant squirrel.
Silent Valley gained prominence in the 1970s when environmentalists launched the Save Silent Valley movement, which halted a proposed hydroelectric project.
Eravikulam National Park, established in 1978, spans approximately 97 square kilometres in Idukki and Ernakulam districts, in the Kannan Devan Hills.
Eravikulam encompasses Anamudi Peak, the highest point in South India at 2,695 metres, and houses the largest wild population of the endangered Nilgiri tahr.
The mass flowering of Neelakurinji blankets Eravikulam's hillsides once every 12 years, the last bloom having occurred in 2018.
Anamudi Shola National Park covers 7.5 sq km and Mathikettan Shola National Park 12.82 sq km, both declared in 2003 in Idukki district.
Pampadum Shola National Park, declared in 2004, is the smallest national park in the State at 1.32 sq km, and its name translates to the forest where the snake dances.
Mathikettan Shola is a wildlife corridor connecting the Periyar Tiger Reserve and Eravikulam National Park, while Pampadum Shola links Eravikulam with the Palani Hills.