The Pampadum Shola National Park which was once dominated by invasive Australian wattles is undergoing a remarkable transformation and its grasslands are being restored, reviving streams and native species.

About Pampadum Shola National Park
Pampadum Shola National Park  is the smallest national park in Kerala, renowned for its unique high-altitude shola-grassland ecosystem and significant biodiversity. Located in the Idukki district of the southern Western Ghats, the park plays a critical role as a watershed and wildlife corridor. 

Key Features

• Shola-Grassland Ecosystem: The park is a prime example of the shola-grassland mosaic, a unique montane ecosystem found only in the high ranges of the Southern Western Ghats.
• Watershed: The grasslands act as natural aquifers, capturing and slowly releasing rainwater into the headstreams of the Pambar and Vaigai rivers, which are vital for the plains of Tamil Nadu.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: Despite its small size (approximately 1.32 sq km), the park is a rich habitat for numerous endemic, rare, and endangered species of flora and fauna.
• Restoration efforts: The park has become a model for ecological restoration in India by successfully removing invasive Australian wattle trees, which had previously suppressed native flora and depleted water tables. 

Flora and Fauna
The park's diverse habitats support a wide range of life, including:

• Fauna: It is home to several important mammals like the Indian elephant, gaur (Indian bison), leopard, wild boar, sambar deer, and the highly elusive, endemic Nilgiri marten (the only marten species found in South India). It also has a rich bird population (e.g., Kerala laughing thrush, black-and-orange flycatcher, Nilgiri wood-pigeon) and over 100 species of butterflies.
• Flora: The vegetation includes 22 species of trees, 74 species of herbs and shrubs, and various rare medicinal plants and orchids. The native shola forests feature a stunted canopy of trees, moss-draped branches, and carpets of ferns. 

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