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Annamalai Hills, Thiruvannamalai

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The Annamalai Hills are part of the Western Ghats that run through the states of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Hills get their name from the combination of two words, ‘Anai’ and ‘Malai’. The former means elephant and the latter means hill. Hence, Annamalai stands for the Elephant Hill, a very apt name given the abundant wildlife of the hills.

Anamudi is the highest peak of the Annamalai Hills and is at a height of 2,694 m above sea level. This peak lies in the Idduki district of Kerala. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is considering the Western Ghats including the Annamalai Hills as potential World Heritage Sites.

In the Annamalai Hills lie the Ervaikulum National Park, Paramabikulum Wildlife Sanctuary, The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Anamalas Tiger Reserve.

All these parks and sanctuaries are known for keeping huge tusks. Other forms of animal life include the gaur, tigers, panthers, civet cats, sambar, dhole, sloth bears and water buffaloes.