Located 37 km to the south of Pollachi, at an altitude of 800 m. asl., TopSlip forms part of the Ulaandy range of Anamalai Tiger Reserve. The place is believed to have gotten its name during the British regime when the harvested timber logs are slipped down to the plains below from the top of the hill. Hence the name Topslip!
Also, it was during the colonial times, these forests were exploited heavily to build the Royal Navy ships of the British forces. But a Scotsman name Hugo Woods realized the importance of conserving these forests and worked towards the restoration of these degraded jungles. He was eventually appointed the conservator of forests in the year 1918.
Even today, Mount Stuart, the place where he lived, is being preserved and maintained by the forest department. He was also granted his wish to be buried among the teak trees. The inscription on the tomb reads “Si monumentum requiris circumspice”, Latin for “If you are looking for my monuments, look around”.
Today, TopSlip is a destination that has come to be known as a birdwatcher’s delight. Home to more than 250 species of birds, its richness in flora and fauna is also equally impressive. With over 2000 species of plants and trees, the habitats found here are vast and varied, supporting a wide range of endemic wildlife, small and large.
The Asian Elephant is the most iconic species to traverse these forests. Tigers, Leopards, Sloth bear, Nilgiri, and Grey Langurs, Indian Gaur, Sambar and spotted deer are other notable species that occur here.
Recently, sightings of rare, threatened species like the elusive Nilgiri marten and the Forest Cane turtle were also observed.
TopSlip is also home to the Kozhikamuthi Elephant Camp, a small tribal settlement in the Ulaandy range of Anamalai Tiger Reserve, that is exclusively used for captive elephants to be trained and disciplined under the native Malasar tribes, who possess specialized knowledge and skill to train and work with Asian elephants.
The elephants here at the camp have rich experience in handling conflict situations that involve driving out wild elephants from crop-raiding and bringing under control, the stray elephants that create problems in human habitations.
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