Mathikettan Shola National Park

Mathikettan Shola National Park is a protected forest landscape in Pooppara village of Udumbanchola taluk, Idukki district, Keralam. Keralam Tourism describes the park as an ecologically important tract containing evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, moist deciduous vegetation and shola-grassland habitats. The area was declared a national park in 2008 and plays an important role as an elephant movement corridor within the Western Ghats.

Streams originating in the forest, dense vegetation and a wide range of medicinal plants contribute to the park’s ecological value. Wildlife reported from the landscape includes gaur, sambar, wild boar, common langur, wild dog and jungle cat, alongside many smaller forest species and birds. The combination of high-range forest and grassland gives Mathikettan Shola a character quite different from Idukki’s dam and plantation attractions.

As this is a protected national park, access is subject to Forest Department rules and current local conditions. Visitors should confirm entry arrangements, permitted activities and timings before travelling rather than assuming unrestricted trekking access. The destination is best approached with a conservation-minded attitude, respecting wildlife, avoiding litter and following all instructions issued by forest officials.