South India Travel

The mountain region (Western Ghats), which extends from Vindhyas to Cape comorin,running almost across the western side,has some of the most beautiful hills in the world. Also home to numerous exotic species of wildlife and rare flora,this range nurtures the plains with rivers. Travelling in south India involves touring many a tourist destination along this Ghat region.
Chiefly,the river Kaveri,originating in Kudagu,an exquisite sleepy region,which flows across all the four south Indian states (another reason for internal strife),is the blood line for the farmers and people alike.Nilgiris,Yercaud,Palani hills,Munnar,and Anaimudi (the tallest peak of the range)are part of this range.

The tallest peak in south India is Anaimudi (The tuft of an elephant)located in Kerala state. This is where you will find the rapidly declining animal (ibex) pictured left, that looks like a cross between a goat and a deer,but with the extra ordinary capability of moving in the face of sheer cliffs that would make a seasoned mountaineer green with envy.

These animals are (called as "Varai Aadu"in Malayalam) near extinction. Once these mountain animals flourished in the western ghats, but in the last few decades- the increase in human population and the gradual decline in the rain forest cover have almost wiped them out