Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options

Masinagudi has hills and valleys forming its geographical feature and
terrain. Its surrounds consist of dry deciduous forest and rain-fed
deciduous forests, scrubs, slightly moist teak forests, secondary moist
bamboo brakes and southern sub-tropical hill forest.
The commercial rental establishments and shops of the Panchayats are
18. There are 12 Private Guest houses in Masinagudi and these private
guesthouses are nothing but profit mongering resorts, which do anything
for its revenue.
Fauna and Flora of Masinagudi
The fauna in the Masinagudi region and its surrounds is comprised of
species common to the Western Ghats. These are mainly herbivorous
mammals like the elephant, gaur or Indian bison, sambar, chital or spotted
deer, muntjak or barking deer, and the common langur and bonnet
macaque. The carnivorous mammals are tiger, leopard (both of which are
seldom seen) and the jungle cat. Omnivorous mammals are the sloth bear.
The area also has a rich variety of bird life. Reptiles are monitor lizards,
cobra, rat snake, wolf snake, golden trinket snake; tortoises are found in the
··water bodies etc.
Masinagudi is a very important region on the Western Ghat circuit and a
proven elephant corridor habitat; the migrating elephant herds pass
through this region quite often.
Chital population is high in Masinagudi and Mudumalai area. Monitor
Lizards are a special feature of the Masinagudi where they attain a large
size. Elephant population is also very high in this area.
Political Geography ofMasinagudi
Ooty Taluk and Gudalore Panchayat Union Council administer Masinagudi
Village. Total area of the village is 331 20.18 acres (55.75 Sq Km). Out of
which, 3597.25 acres are Fertile and 28151 .68 acres are Forest and
Promboke (common land) are 1371.75 acres. A water source of the village
is Vazhai thottam.
17 NiJagiris: Fading Glory