The flora of Palakkad district is
characteristically tropical, owing to the seasonal rainfall, moderate temperature
and the mountainous eastern border. Major portion of the district comes
under the midland region and is under cultivation. Some of the dominant
trees in the region are Eppothi (Macaranga Indica), Mavu (Mangifera),
Paragimavu(Ancardium Occidentale), Pilavu (Artocarpus Integriofolia),
Elavu (Cieba Pentandra), Ezhilampala (Astomia Scholoris), Urakkam
Thoongi (Enterolobium Saman), Mullumurikku (Erythrina Indica) and
Aranamaram(Polyalthia Longifolia) . Intermingled with these are other
trees like Osboekia Ostandra, Lantana Sculeata, etc. Rubber and teak
plantations are common in the hills. The midland region gradually merges
with hilly forests.
No animal can be mentioned peculiar
to this district. Elaphants are common in almost all parts of the
forest. Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Bear, etc are sometimes found in the thick
forests. Sambar and Spotted Deer are seen in large numbers.
Nilgiris langur, bonnet monkey,
slender loris, jungle cat, different types of mongoose, jackals,
squirrels, hares, etc. are found in the forest. Birds are represented by
the jungle crow, king crow, myna, woodpeckers, sunbird, king fishers,
skylark, paradise fly catchers, parrots, peacocks, pigeons etc.
Poisonous and non – poisonous snakes are common in the district.
The Silent Valley area, 40kms.from
Mannarghat town, has the distinction of
being a rain forest, very rare in the world. It is spread over an
area of about 9000 hectares. This thick forest is rich in some of the
rare species of plants and animals.
