Eravikulam National Park gets a Fernarium

In News

• Eravikulam National Park (ENP), the natural habitat of Nilgiri tahr in Munnar, has a new attraction — a Fernarium setup inside the park.

About Ferns

• Ferns are part of the Epiphytic family. They grow naturally in a soilless condition. The plants obtain water and nutrients through leaching from trees. 
• Ferns are a diverse group of plants that do not produce flowers or seeds but instead reproduce through spores.
• Uses: Ferns are not as important economically as seed plants, but have considerable importance in some societies. Some ferns are used for food.

Eravikulam National Park (ENP)

• Eravikulam National Park situated along the summit of the Western Ghats in the high ranges of Idukki district of Kerala.
• This is also the land of “Neelakurinji”, a flower that blooms once in twelve years. The highest peak south of the Himalayas – the Anamudi is located here.
• The park is also known as Rajamalai National Park.  It was declared as a sanctuary with an objective of protecting the indigenous population of Nilgiri Tahr (most endangered mountain goat) when founded in the year 1975 and was then upgraded as the national park in 1978.

Source: TH