Nilgiri Hills facts for kids

Nilgiri Hills are a beautiful mountain range in India. They are part of the larger Western Ghats. You can find these mountains in parts of western Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. The highest point in the Nilgiri Hills is a peak called Doddabetta. It's a very special place with unique plants, animals, and a cool climate.

What are the Nilgiri Hills?

The Nilgiri Hills are often called the "Blue Mountains." This name might come from the blue haze that covers the hills. It could also be from the blue flowers of the Strobilanthes kunthiana plant. These flowers bloom only once every 12 years! The Nilgiris are a high plateau. They have many tall peaks. The highest one is Doddabetta, which stands about 2,637 meters (8,652 feet) tall.

Where are they located?

The Nilgiri Hills are located where the Eastern and Western Ghats meet. These two mountain ranges run along the coasts of India. The Nilgiris act like a bridge between them. This special location makes them very important for nature. They are a key part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. This reserve is a protected area. It helps keep the unique plants and animals safe.

Amazing Animals and Plants

The Nilgiri Hills are home to many different kinds of animals and plants. It's like a giant natural zoo and garden! You can find many species here that live nowhere else in the world. This makes the Nilgiris a very important place for biodiversity.

Wild Animals

Many exciting animals live in these hills. You might see herds of Gaur, which are large Indian bisons. There are also wild horses roaming in the pine forests. The Nilgiris are especially famous for their tigers. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve has the highest number of tigers in the world! This shows how healthy the forests are. Other animals include elephants, leopards, and many types of deer.

Unique Plants

The hills have different types of forests. Some areas have tropical rainforests. These forests are always green and full of life. Other parts have grasslands and plantations. You can find many unique plants here. Some plants, like Vestalis submontana, are found only in the Nilgiri Hills. This is called being "endemic." The wattle plantations are also a common sight in the Nilgiris.

Life in the Hills

People have lived in the Nilgiri Hills for a very long time. Ancient cultures thrived here. We know this from old jewelry and beads found in the area. These items show that people were skilled craftspeople.

Ooty: The Queen of Hills

One of the most famous towns in the Nilgiris is Ooty. It's also known as Udhagamandalam. Ooty is a popular hill station. Many people visit it to enjoy the cool weather. It was a favorite spot for British officials during colonial times. You can still see old buildings like the Stone House from that era.

Visiting the Nilgiris

The Nilgiri Hills are a wonderful place to visit. They offer beautiful views and exciting adventures. You can explore the forests, visit tea plantations, or just enjoy the peaceful scenery.

Things to Do

• Doddabetta Peak: Climb to the highest point for amazing views of the surrounding hills.
• Botanical Gardens: Explore the beautiful gardens in Ooty. They have many different kinds of plants.
• Nilgiri Mountain Railway: Take a ride on this historic toy train. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site!
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Visit places like Mudumalai National Park. Here you can see many wild animals in their natural home.

Images for kids

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  Map of Nilgiri's Biosphere Reserve

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  Gold jewelry and etched carnelian beads, Nilgiri Hills culture, 1st millennium CE. British Museum

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  Nilgiri Hills from Masinangudi

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  Front of Stonehouse, 1905

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  Topographic map of Nilgiri Hills showing some peaks

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  View of Nilgiri hills from Doddabetta

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  Wattle plantations in Nilgiris

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  There are 400 tigers in the Nilgiri hills. The Nilgiris have the highest number of tigers in Tamil Nadu and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve has the highest number of tigers in all of the world.

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  Tropical Rainforest biome in the Nilgiri hills

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  Wild horse in pine forest

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  Vestalis submontana, endemic to Nilgiri

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  Herd of Gaur, Indian bisons in Mudumalai national park

See also

In Spanish: Montañas Nilgiri para niños