Page 18 - Demo

The Valparai plateau in
the Anamalai hills
The Anamalai hills in southern Western Ghats is a critical conser- vation area for elephants, holding the second largest Asian ele- phant population (Elephas maximus) across their range in India. The Valparai plateau, a of 220 km2 landscape matrix dominated by tea and coffee plantations interspersed with rainforest frag- ments fall under the jurisdiction of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve in the Anamalai hills. The plantations are owned by six national and multinational companies supporting the livelihood of 70,000 peo- ple. The Valparai plateau with its undulating terrain and perennial water resources is surrounded by Tiger Reserves, Reserved Forests and wildlife sanctuaries in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The plateau has been historically used and continued to be used by el- ephants and forms a critical area for elephant movements across plantations into surrounding Protected Areas. Annually, the pla-
Top: Valparai plateau with rainforest frag- ments and tea..
Photo:
Kalyan Varma
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