Vikhas Madhav: Coorg – Kodagu Hills
Vikas Madhav is doing his 6th grade in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu in India (Southern State). He loves to travel to various places, walk along nature trails, bird watch, and photograph wildlife. His 4 years of traveling has taken him to different places, all in India, such as the Sunderbans – the worlds largest mangrove forest in West Bengal; Pitchavaram, the world’s second largest mangrove forest, in Tamil Nadu; Andhaman; and Nicobar Island, in the Western Ghats. His travels have given him true insight into culture, people, nature, and so on. His dream and aim is to make a discovery in Avian fauna in India (Western Ghats in particular). Spread the message of “Nature Awareness” to as many people as possible.
Malabar Grey Hornbill
Coorg is a hill station located in the southern most districts of the state of Karnataka in Southern India. Coorg is famous for its Coffee, picturesque coffee plantations, and scenic views. It is at an elevation of about 1525 meters above the sea level. It is called a Kodaku – which means “dense forest.” It is a part of the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats are a chain of hills that run from Gujarat in the Northwestern Region to Tamil Nadu in the south. The forest of Coorg is moist evergreen forest. Coorg is set amidst verdant valleys, imposing mountains, and teak wood forests. It is one of the most beautiful hill stations one can visit. Coorg lies on Karnataka’s southwestern end, covering an area of 4,102 square kilometers. The River Cauvery originates here at Talacauvery and is worshipped by the locals.
This place is rich in flora and fauna. It is home to many animals, like elephants, the Indian Bison, and wild boar. As a bird watcher, I give more time to the avian fauna. The evergreen forest is so rich in food that it attracts birds like the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Parakeet, Scarlet Minivet, Golden-Fronted Leaf Bird, and Vernal’s Hanging Parrot, to mention a few. Among the reptiles, the King Cobra is the longest venomous snake found here. Sighting this magnificent snake is a rarity. The monsoon season is from September to November. In winter, many species of birds can be sighted. During the colonial rule, the forest was denuded, – or deforested, for coffee cultivation on a large scale.
