Singara-Masinagudi Elephant Corridor in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve lies between the villages of Singara and Masinagudi on the northern slopes of the Nilgiri Hills. It comprises of forests on either side of a road connecting these two villages. Approximately 50 meters of this forest on either side of the road is privately owned. The corridor is intensively used by elephants, which seasonally move from the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve to the Nilgiri North Division. As movement is not possible along the Nilgiri slopes (due to Penstock pipes of a hydro-electric project between Glenmorgan and Singara), this corridor is of great significance. Further north between Singara and Masinagudi Villages, elephants move in an east-west direction through a private forest belonging to Singara (coffee) estate.
Forest Division: Mudumalai Tiger Reserve - Nilgiri North Forest Division
Connectivity : Mudumalai Tiger Reserve with Nilgiri North Forest Division
Geographical Coordinates:
Latitude 11°33'–11°33' N
Longitude 76°32'–76°32' E
Length: 0.2-0.5 km
Width: 3-4 km
Forest type/ Vegetation: Tropical deciduous and thorn forests
Nearest Protected Area: Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Legal status of the corridor: Private and pattaland
Major land-use: Forest
Major habitation/settlements in corridor: Nil
Corridor dependent villages: Singara and Masinagudi
Human artefacts on the corridor: Canal of Pykara Ultimate Stage Hydroelectric Project (PUSHEP) and Singara-Masinagudi road.
Frequency of usage of the corridor by elephants: Regular; used by bulls and herds
Threats to the corridor
- Development activities of the Pykara Ultimate Stage Hydroelectric Project (PUSHEP) and settlements
- Impact of resorts, vehicle used by private resorts to view wild animals during nighttime
- Cattle grazing
- Fuel wood collection by Singara and Doddalingi villagers
- Declaration, demarcation and legal protection of the corridor under various laws appropriate for the state
- Acquisition of the private land in and around the corridor
