Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park have protected forests that are part of Anamalai, spread across Pollachi, Udumalpet, Valparai Taluks of Tirupur, and Coimbatore Districts of Tamilnadu state in India. It is named after the former prime minister of India, the Late Indira Gandhi, who visited the park in 1961.

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Park area was declared part of Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in 1974. UNESCO is considering this Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park as a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Asian elephants are a major animal species found in this national park. Malasar tribals belonging to the Anamalai hills in this wildlife park are considered guardians of elephants. They are known as ‘Elephant people’. They work as Mahouts. They dedicate their entire life taking care of elephants.

2022 November Update: Tamilnadu state government is sending 13 Malasar tribal people to Thailand’s Elephant Conservation Centre for training and capacity building. They are expected to learn the best modern and scientific elephant training practices. These people belong to the elephant camps at Mudumalai & Anamalai.

Nilgiri Langur

Nilgiri Langur, a rare and endangered monkey species endemic to the Western Ghats, is found here. It is a leaf-eating monkey and extremely shy, with a tail almost three feet long.

Indira Gandhi National Park has Tigers, Elephants, etc. Many threatened and endangered animal species are inside the wildlife park area.

How Do I Go to Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary?

Indira Gandhi Sanctuary, part of Anamalai Sanctuary & Tiger Reserve, is accessible from the nearby cities of Pollachi, Udumalpet, Valparai, etc. Tourists can go trekking inside the park to explore the wildlife. Van Safari is also there inside the park.