Kulahupuzha Reserved Forest (18248)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e
Year of last assessment: 2026
National site name: Kulahupuzha Reserved Forest
Central coordinates: Latitude: 8.7943, Longitude: 77.1198
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 363.28985
Protected area coverage (%): 95.99
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Kulathupuzha Reserve forest lies between Chenduruni Wildlife Sanctuary and Agasthyarkoodam (Ponmudi hills). The KBA lies in two revenue districts namely Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. The nearest railway station is Kollam, about 70 km away from Kulathupuzha town. The area is connected by Thiruvananthapuram Shenkottah road and Kollam Kulathupuzha road. Kulathupuzha Reserve Forest and adjoining ranges of plantations (Teak) and mixed forests (Evergreen, Semi-evergreen and Moist Deciduous Forests) host a good floral and faunal diversity. Anacolosa densiflora, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Alianthus malabarica, Artocarpus hirsuta, Calophyllum elatum, Canarium strictum and Gluta travancorica are the interesting tree species of this KBA site. Thick reed brakes cover long stretches on the southwestern slopes of Pandimottai, including Pongumala, in Kulathupuzha Range. The unique Myristica swamp forest is found at Vencolla, Amakkulam and Sasthamnada region. This type of forest is seen in tropical evergreen forests below 300 m especially along the bottom of the valley, which is subject to inundation throughout the year due to heavy rainfall. The whole valley floor is often covered with protruding roots of Myristica. Kulathupuzha river catchment area bears some of the most pristine forests now existing in the state.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site includes 40 legacy plant, 12 legacy bird, 10 legacy amphibian, and 7 legacy reptile trigger species. It also holds the only known population of the tree species that triggers the A1e criteria, Syzygium ponmudianum.
Additional biodiversity: AVIFAUNA: A total of 215 species of birds was recorded by P. Manoj in 2001- 2002. More than 20% of the total species are migrants, while the rest are local migrants and residents. The globally threatened Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon Columba elphinstonii occurs in this site, especially in Pandimotta region. Kulathupuzha lies in the Western Ghats Endemic Bird Area, where Stattersfield et al. (1998) have identified 16 Restricted Range or endemic species. Of these, 12 endemic species have been recorded in this site, which shows that the natural forest cover is still intact. OTHER KEY FAUNA: Kulathupuzha Reserve Forest has most of the representative mammals found in the Western Ghats, including the endemic Nilgiri Langur Trachypithecus johni. Asian Elephant Elephas maximus, Guar Bos frontalis, Sambar Cervus unicolor, Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak, Tiger Panthera tigris, Leopard P. pardus and Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus are known to occur. The Wild Dog Cuon alpinus is likely to occur.
Manageability of the site: The manageability of the site has not been documented.
Delineation rationale: 2015-08-12 (BL Secretariat): Kulahupuzha Reserved Forest KBA contains the 2005 AZE 'Ponmudi Hills' (delisted as an AZE in 2010).
Habitats
Land use: forestry
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 | Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist lowland |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Human settlements; Tree felling; Forest fire; Poaching; Grazing of livestock. There are many settlements in the reserve forest, including those of tribals. Owing to anthropogenic pressure, there is constant and permanent ecological degradation of the natural habitats which affects the flora and fauna. Cattle grazing and commercial forestry also contribute to the degradation. Forest fires during the hot, dry summer in the core area is a constant menace. Charaching of birds is very common in the fringe areas of the forests like Thalappacha, Amakkulam, Mylamood and Chozhiakode.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Agro-industry plantations | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. and Wege, D. C. (1998) Endemic Bird Areas of the World: Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 7. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K.
Contributors: Key contributor: P. Manoj.
Ryan Hills, Helena Brown (BGCI).