Pambadum Shola National Park was notified in 2003. It is a 1.318 sq km protected area located at 10°09'N, 77°07'E in Kerala's Idukki district. The park is adjacent to Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary. Altitude ranges from 1,886-2,531 m1.

The main vegetation type is shola grasslands. Sholas or high elevation evergreen forests, interspersed with grasslands, are characterised by dense formations of stunted trees belonging primarily to the genera Litsea, Syzigium and Microtropis. The national park protects many endangered and endemic plant species such as a plant commonly known as 'neelakkurinji' (Strobilanthes kunthianus). The remarkable thing about this plant is that it flowers only once in 12 years and when it does, the sight is spectacular as entire hillsides are covered in a carpet of lavender-blue flowers. The mass flowering affects ecological processes as the flowers provide pollen and nectar resources for various animal species.

References

1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pambadum_Shola_National_Park. Accessed on 6 December 2007