History of Munnar
It would be interesting to note how this glorious land of Munnar came to be so popular among people today. The beauty of Munnar was not discovered by the people of India,
but rather the Europeans who first recognized the untapped potential of the forest lands that surrounded the Munnar area. You could say that it was British who expanded
Munnar, cut down the trees in the forest to build tea estates and made it as popular as it is today. The English, impressed by the cool climate of Munnar and came here to
off during the hot summer months.Now let’s examine how British discovered Munnar started coming here with the aim of making profit.
During the early 19th century, the land of Munnar was under the possession of Poonjar royal family. Unfortunately, a border dispute emanated between Travancore (the Poonjar
family) and Madras. It was John Daniel Munro, the British Resident of the then Travancore kingdom who arrived at the place to settle the dispute. When Munro came here, he
fell head over heels in love with Munnar. After helping in settling the dispute, Munro visited the Poonjar family and talkedthem into leasing 1,36,600 acres of Kannan
Devan Hills to him for Rs. 3000 a year. He developed the land and in 1879formed the North Travancore Land Planting and Agricultural
Society. Munro was responsible for officially starting cultivation in the area and he started planting cardamom, coffee,sisal and cinchona. The harvest was okay,
but failed to deliver the desired yield. Later, it was discovered that Munnar, with its cool climate and excellent soil was perfect for cultivatingtea and this was how the saga of tea cultivation started.
It was A. H. Sharp, a European planter who discovered that tea would bring more success and profit and under his guidance, the cultivation of tea started in full swing. The first tea
plantation that was started in the area now lies under the jurisdiction of Sevenmullar estate; it was this area that was later owned by James Finlay and Co. ltd. Finlay Muir & Company
bought 33 independent estates in the area and formed Kannan Devan Hills Company to look after the affairs of these estates. This continued from 1997 to 1964, when Tata
Group entered the scene and collaborated with the Finlay. They formed a new partnership and called it the Tata-Finlay Group. Eventually, Tata Tea Ltd came into existence in 1983, where the employees also had stake in the company.
The Growth of Tourism in Munnar
It is not a wonder why Munnar, with its pleasant and cool climate attracts people like a magnet every single month of the year. Even if other parts of Kerala experience sweltering heat, at Munnar
you are always good. The tourism boom in Munnar started around the second half of the 20th century when people came flocking by the dozens to see the lovely hills and misty waterfalls, exotic
flora and flaura, the sprawling tea gardens and indigenous wildlife. Visitors to Munnar couldn’t get enough of its beauty and its cool and refreshing climate and they began to bring friends and
relatives. The popularity of Munnar grew no bounds and it soon became a portal that peopleconsidered as a wholesome vacation destination.
Facts about Munnar
Here are some well-known and little-known facts about Munnar:
• Munnar is the most popular hill station in India, mainly for tourism and also for tea and coffee plantations
• Munnar was once the summer resort of the British Raj elite
• Spread over an area of 557 square kilometers, Munnar is well-endowed with tropical and semi-tropical trees, not to speak of the rich and sprawling vegetation
• Munnar provides the perfect setting for people interested in wild life trekking and hiking expeditions
• You can observe the process of making tea; visiting the tea museum would give you opportunity to learn about the history or tea making
Where to go Places in Munnar:
Pallivasal
Pallivasal is not only noted for its breathtaking scenic beauty, but is also famous for being the first Hydro electric Project in Kerala.
Attukal, where you can indulge in the panoramic beauty of rolling hills and waterfalls is near Pallivasal.
Nyayamakad
Located 10 kilometers from Munnar, Nyayamakad treats you to breathtaking waterfalls. This serves as a good picnic spot and trekking trail as well.
Devikulam
Visitors to Munnar do not leave without visiting Devikulam with its lovely velvety lawns, exotic flora and fauna and misty mountains in
the background. There are picnic and fishing spots as well.
Mattupetty
Mattupetty is credited for its Indo Swiss Livestock Project – a sophisticated dairy farm. It is said that more than 100 high-yielding cattle are housed at different sheds in the farms.
There is a lake and dam at Mattupetty that are equally famous. You can go boating as well and even hire motor boats and speed boats.
Kundala
On the way to Top Station, you can get down and enjoy the beauty of Kundala, a lovely, picturesque town.
Marayoor
Marayoor fame and popularity grew when it became the only natural sandalwood forest in Kerala. You can also see some of the Stone
Age caves and relics at Muniyaras. Thoovanam waterfalls and Rajiv Gandhi National Park are other attractions in Marayoor.
Chinnakanal and Anayirangal
Apart from scenic views, you can watch the elephants as they come down to the lake to drink water. If you are lucky, you can even watch them bathing and frolicking in the waters. Anayirangal literally means “elephants getting down”. A noted fact about
Aniyirangal is that the dam built there was the first commissioned hydro-electric project in the state. Chinnakanal is only 7 kilometres from Anayirangal and provides exclusive views of dams and tea plantations. Cascading waterfalls from a rock lying 2000 meters above sea-level is another attraction of this place.
Tata Tea Museum
The fascinating process of tea making can be observed at the Tata Tea Museum. Additionally, you can also visit the tea factories (that
are more than a 100 centuries old) and marvel at the indigenous process that goes behind each cup of heavenly blend.
Pambadum Shola National Park
It may be the smallest national park in Kerala, but there is nothing small about its unique and rich flora and fauna, several of them, rare and endangered. You can go hiking or trekking into the forests
to enjoy the magnificent wildlife including gaur, leopard, elephant, nilgiri marten, sambhar and of course, common langur.
Eravikulam National Park
The rare Nilgiri Tahr is the main attraction of Eravikulam National Park and is found in huge herds in Rajamalai area. They are beautiful, extremely tame and sheltered; would even pose with you for pictures. At Eravikulam National Park you can see some of the prettiest and
rarest butterflies in the area. You can also treat yourself to Neelakurinji – the flower that blooms every 12 years. This fascinating phenomenon attracts people from all over the world without fail. The whole park takes on a calming bluish hue, and the flowers in full bloom are
definitely a sight you mustn’t miss. In order to protect Neelakurinji, the government of Kerala has come forward and has declared the areas of Kottakamboor and Vattavada villages, where they mostly grow as protected areas. The next blooming of Neelakurinji would be in 2018.
The area where you view Neelakurinji is near Top Station, located at a height of about 1700 meters above sea level.