Akkamalai Grass Hills

Akkamalai Grass Hills is an integral part of the Indira Gandhi (Anamalai) Wildlife Sanctuary and the Anamalai Tiger Reserve. The area is characterized by a unique shola-grassland ecosystem, which is found only in the higher reaches of the Western Ghats. Historically, these grasslands were sometimes perceived as "wastelands" by the Forest Department, leading to past attempts at converting them into commercial plantations.

The region is a crucial habitat for the Nilgiri Tahr, an endemic wild goat. During the British colonial era, the Grass Hills were valued as a serene retreat. The area also plays a vital ecological role by retaining water and supplying it to the entire Valparai region through gravity flow. The broader Valparai region has a rich history, with indigenous tribes like the Malasar, Malai Malasar, Pulayar, and Muduvar having inhabited these hills for centuries, maintaining a deep connection with nature.