The Nilgiri forests and grasslands that together

The Nilgiris, one of the smallest districts in Tamil Nadu area 1616 sq. km is a bridge of hills between the ruggedly beautiful Eastern Ghats, famed for their granite, and the densely forested Western Ghats.

The forests and grasslands that together form the district are distinctly separate. The Nilgiris on the Wayanad Kerala state side is densely forested and at a lower height 1200 m avg. than in Tamil Nadu, where the famed `hill stations’ Ooty, Coonoor and Kotagiri are situated, amidst the lush grasslands of the plateau (Ht. 3800 m avg.)

Ooty town is 36 sq km in area and is at a height of 2.240 m. vast plantations of eucalyptus, pine and wattle stretch between the few untouched meadows that remain of the pre-British Ooty. The forest department of independent India continued the ecological change the British began in Ooty, by introducing the exotic conifers to the soft. However, though no longer as nature meant it too. Ooty is still pretty and is paradise for nature –lovers, hikers and sports enthusiasts.

Where Ooty scores over most other hill stations in India is that it is in-season the whole year round. The summer temperature reaches 25 c. degree at the most minimum 10 c. degree. And winter temperature never falls below 5 c. degree maximum 21 c. degree. So, at no point of time is Ooty stiflingly hot or unbearably cold.