PrepMaticTamil Nadu GK · Geography & nature
Tiger reserves of Tamil Nadu: the five reserves
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Tamil Nadu has five tiger reserves as of 2026: Mudumalai, Anamalai, Kalakad Mundanthurai, Sathyamangalam and Srivilliputhur-Megamalai. The fifth, Srivilliputhur-Megamalai, was notified in 2021 by combining the Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel and Megamalai wildlife sanctuaries. Some older pages, including parts of the Forest Department overview, still mention four, so check the year when you see a different number.
The five tiger reserves
| Tiger reserve | District | Key facts |
|---|---|---|
| Mudumalai | Nilgiris | Declared in 2007-08; joins Bandipur (Karnataka) and Wayanad (Kerala) |
| Anamalai | Coimbatore and Tiruppur | Declared in 2007-08; built around the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park |
| Kalakad Mundanthurai | Tirunelveli | Notified in 1988; the oldest tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu |
| Sathyamangalam | Erode | Notified in 2013; links the Western and Eastern Ghats forests |
| Srivilliputhur-Megamalai | Virudhunagar, Theni and Madurai | Notified in 2021; the fifth in the state |
The year of declaration and the year of the formal notification can differ by a few months. If an exam question depends on the year, treat 1988 and 2013 as the safest figures and check the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for the rest.
Notes on each reserve
Mudumalai. The reserve is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, and forests there are continuous with Bandipur and Nagarhole in Karnataka and Wayanad in Kerala, creating one of the largest tiger landscapes in India. The Theppakadu elephant camp is one of the oldest in the country.
Anamalai. The reserve covers the hills around Valparai and Topslip. It is known for the lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri tahr and a large elephant population.
Kalakad Mundanthurai. Combines the Kalakad and Mundanthurai wildlife sanctuaries in the Agasthyamalai region. It is the source area of several streams that feed the Tamirabarani, which you can trace on the rivers of Tamil Nadu page.
Sathyamangalam. Located in Erode district, this reserve forms a corridor between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats and is a key elephant landscape of the north-west. The surrounding wildlife sanctuary, about 1,411 sq km, is the largest in the state.
Srivilliputhur-Megamalai. Includes parts of the High Wavy Mountains and the grizzled giant squirrel habitat.
How tiger reserves are created
A tiger reserve is notified by the state government under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, after the National Tiger Conservation Authority gives approval. Each reserve has a core area, where human activity is not allowed, and a buffer area where limited use is permitted. Project Tiger, the national scheme, began in 1973. Because the NTCA keeps the national list, confirm the state's latest count there.
Short notes on most-asked items
- Oldest. Kalakad Mundanthurai (1988).
- Newest. Srivilliputhur-Megamalai (2021).
- Located in the Nilgiris. Mudumalai.
- Located in Erode. Sathyamangalam.
- Count. Five, as of 2026.
- Biosphere link. Mudumalai lies in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, and Kalakad Mundanthurai in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve.
How to revise
Use a south-to-north chain: Kalakad Mundanthurai (south), Srivilliputhur-Megamalai (south-centre), Anamalai (west), Mudumalai (Nilgiris), Sathyamangalam (north-west). For each, name one district, one companion state, and one species. The national parks of Tamil Nadu page covers the parks inside these reserves, and the TNPSC geography guide covers the Western Ghats.
Frequently asked questions
How many tiger reserves are there in Tamil Nadu?
Five as of 2026. Srivilliputhur-Megamalai was added as the fifth in 2021.
Which is the oldest tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu?
Kalakad Mundanthurai, notified in 1988.
Which tiger reserve is in Erode district?
Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
Which is the fifth tiger reserve of Tamil Nadu?
Srivilliputhur-Megamalai, spread across Virudhunagar, Theni and Madurai districts.
Official sources
- National Tiger Conservation Authority
- Tamil Nadu Forest Department
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Confirm the current number of reserves with the NTCA and the Forest Department.
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