Valparai
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<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->{{Infobox Indian Jurisdiction |
native_name = Valparai |
type = city |
latd = 10.37 | longd = 76.97|
locator_position = right |
state_name = Tamil Nadu |
district = [[Coimbatore district|Coimbatore]] |
leader_title = |
leader_name = |
altitude = 1193|
population_as_of = 2001 |
population_total = 94,962|
population_density = |
area_magnitude= km² |
area_total = |
area_telephone = |
postal_code = 642127|
vehicle_code_range = |
sex_ratio = |
unlocode = |
website = |
footnotes = |
}}
'''Valparai''' (வால்பாறை in [[Tamil language|Tamil]]) is a Municipality in [[Coimbatore district]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. Valparai is located 3,500 feet above sea level on the [[Anamalai Hills|Anamalai Hill Range]] of the [[Western Ghats]].
Though popularly known as [[Cherrapunji]] of South India, Valparai remains somewhat untouched. Owned mostly by private tea companies, a large part of the area is out of bounds for tourists.<ref name="HinduMetro">[http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2004/12/11/stories/2004121102240101.htm The Hindu MetroPlus dated 11 Dec'2004]</ref> Interestingly, the Govt. of Tamil Nadu with the assistance of the Govt. of India has taken initiatives to promote tourism and develop infrastructure such as hotels, amusement parks etc to attract visitors.<ref name="TNGO">[http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/Govt-orders.html Govt of Tamil Nadu Order]</ref>
==Demography==
Valparai is located at {{coor d|10.37|N|76.97|E|}}. It has an average elevation of 1193 metres (3914 feet).<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/25/Valparai.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Valparai]</ref>
[[Image:Valparai GhatRoad.JPG|thumb|Dwindling ghat roads at Valparai.]]
According to the Census of India 2001, the population of Valparai is about 94,962. Males making up 49% of the population and females 51%. Valparai has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the national average of 59.5%.<ref>{{GR|India}}</ref>
Valparai in concentrated with Tea and Coffee estates. Most of the people in Valparai work in these estates. Valparai can be accessed either from [[Pollachi]] or from [[Chalakudy]], [[Kerala]] located on the western side of Anamalai Range. The climatic condition prevailing is most suitable for cultivation of Tea, Coffee, Cardamom, Cincona trees. <ref name="ValaparaiInfo">[http://www.valparaiinfo.com/ Valparaiinfo.com]</ref>
==Wildlife==
Valparai is one of the highest mid elevation hill resort in the country. The tea plantations are surrounded by evergreen moist [[evergreen forest]] a rich [[Asian Elephant|elephant]] tract and a [[leopard|panther]] (leopard) prowl.<ref name="TNForestDept">[http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/np_ignp.html Dept of Forests, Govt of TN]</ref>
The Valparai range is also the habitat of another endemic mammal — the [[Nilgiri Tahr]]. These wild mountain goats inhabit the high ranges and prefer open terrain, cliffs and grass-covered hills, a habitat largely confined to altitudes from 1200 to 2600m. Their territory extended far and wide all along these hills in the past, but, because of hunting and large-scale habitat destruction, they now exist only in a few isolated sites like the Anamalais.<ref name="HinduMagazine">[http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/02/26/stories/2006022600270700.htm The Hindu:Magazine Feb 26 2006]</ref>
The human-elephant conflict, a very delicate issue prevails at Valparai. The tea plantations are a hindrance to the movement of wildlife, particularly elephants who prefer shade because they cannot stand heat; their massive bodies do not have sweat glands to control body heat. If they wish to move from one forest to another they would have to cut across the tea estates, where the terrain and the people are equally inhospitable. The confrontation leads to conflicts, material loss and deaths at times.<ref name="HinduMetroCh">[http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/08/07/stories/2006080700540200.htm The Hindu:MetroPlus Aug 07 2006]</ref>
==Places to visit==
* '''[[Monkey Falls]]''' :- It is 65 km from Coimbatore and 27 km from Pollachi on Coimbatore-Pollachi-Valparai Highways.
* '''[[Nirar Dam]]''' :- It is 15 km from Valparai. It has very high rainfall in the months of June and July.
* '''[[Solaiyar Dam]]''' :- It is 15 km from Valparai. The Solaiyar Dam is the second largest rock dam in Asia. Its length is about 20 km.
* '''Sidhi Vinayagar Temple''' :- It is 5 km from Solaiyar. A statue of Vinayagar weighing about 3.5 kg is located in this temple. It is constructed with a single rock.
* '''Balaji Temple''' :- This temple is in Valparai. On Saturday and Sunday each week, a large number of tourists arrive to worship. Bus, taxi and van facilities are available to visit this temple
==References==
<references />
*[http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/places/citiestowns/Coimbatore30.aspx?catid=c1&subcat1id=c1s1&subcat2id=c1s1s3 Tamil Nadu Tourism]
==External links==
* '''[http://www.valparaiinfo.com A WebPortal of Valparai]'''
* [http://www.mistymusings.com/2005/05/15/the-valparai-jaunt/ A travelogue to Valparai]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tourism in Tamil Nadu]]
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