Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park National Park

Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park is a protected area in the Palani Hills of Tamil Nadu, part of India’s Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. The site conserves montane forests, grasslands and associated wildlife.

The area is used for trekking, birdwatching and nature study; trails and forest roads provide access to high-elevation shola patches and scenic viewpoints. Visitors come for landscape views, endemic plants and opportunities to observe regional wildlife.

The Palani Hills have long been recognized for their ecological value as part of the Western Ghats; the area has been subject to protective designations to conserve habitats and species. Management focuses on balancing conservation with regulated tourism and local livelihoods.

The sanctuary and national park lie in the Palani Hills of Tamil Nadu, adjacent to the Kodaikanal region and within the broader Western Ghats mountain chain in southern India.

• Western Ghats biodiversity: The area protects montane shola-forest and grassland ecosystems typical of the Western Ghats and supports a variety of endemic flora and fauna.

The sanctuary is in Tamil Nadu’s Palani Hills near Kodaikanal and Palani town. The nearest large road access is NH 83; from Kodaikanal it’s a drive of an hour or more depending on the trailhead. Local buses and private taxis connect Kodaikanal/Palani with park entrances.

• Hire a certified local guide for birdwatching and nocturnal mammal spotting - guides know the seasonal hotspots.
• The sanctuary's higher reaches can be foggy and cool even when the plains are hot; pack a windbreaker.
• Tread lightly on sacred groves: some areas are used by local communities for ritual and resource gathering.