Munnar is a small town in Kerala’s Idukki district that is surrounded by hill slopes clad with large tea plantations. Munnar is also a popular tourist and honeymoon destination and due to its bracing climate is sometimes referred to as the ‘Kashmir of South India’.
Situated at a height of 1600 metres (5,200ft) msl. the name Munnar refers to its location at the confluence of three rivers - Mudhirapuzha, Nallathani and Kunadala. During the colonial dispensation the town was a favourite summer getaway for Britishers seeking to escape the oppressive heat in the plains and the remnants of their history here, churches, cottages and graves continue to attract history buffs. The British also saw immense potential in planting tea. However, the tea plantations have resulted in sheer habitat fragmentation and the near extinction of endemic flora and fauna. Nevertheless numerous species thrive in the many national parks and protected areas - White Bellied Blue Robin, Yellow Throated Bulbul, Nigiri Fly Catcher and Marten (the only marten species native to Southern India, to name a few.
