Flora and Fauna
The oldest shola trees on the Shevaroys are those that are seen around the Petrol Bunk, .Round Tana and Anna Park. Also those seen in and around the Botanical Survey of India Gardens. Isolated sholas are available protected by private estates. Most of the birds found on the Western Ghats are also found on these hills.
Trees
Yercaud
There are about a dozen varieties of fig trees, Jack Trees, Naga (Jambolina), Kadukan(Gall Nut), Red Cedar, White Cedar, Selavanji, Rosewood, Ebony, Sandalwood, PigNut Tandi, Pongamia, Mango, Chittalenji which grow naturally in these hills. The craze for valuable wood has almost most made certain trees such as Sandalwood, Rosewood and Ebony non existent. Two trees (Shevaroys Bombax) unique to the Shevaroys, were noticed in a valley of the GlenPeak Estate adjoining a stream. Shevaroys Bombax is now being studied and propagated by the BSI.
Birds
Yercaud
Red Whiskered bulbul, Red Vented bulbul, Green bulbul, Common mynah, Green barbet, Indian Treepie Seven Sisters, Crow pheasant, Indian Pitta, White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Spotted Munia, Black Head Munia, Black Drongo, Golden Oriole, Fairy Blue Bird, Scarlet Minivet, Paradise Fly Catcher, Collared Owl, Jungle Fowl, Red Woodpecker, Pygmy Wood Pecker, Red Spurfowl, Grey Jungle Fowl, Rain Quail, Pigeon, Brahminy Kite, Crested Hawk Eagle, Kestrel Hawk, Water Hen, Green Pigeon, Bronze, Winged Dove, Spotted Dove, Cuckoo(Koel), Indian Nightjar, House Swift, Common Kingfisher, Purple Sunbird, Imperial Pigeon & Hoopoe. If a bird had to be choosen to specially represent Yercaud it would the Paradise Fly Catcher. Often on a bright sunny day one would see the male and female traipsing through the lower branches, beautiful to behold and the most beautiful white tail of the male sailing through the breeze.
Animals
Yercaud
Jackal, Wild Boar, Porcupine, Slender Loris, Python, Bison, Bear, Barking Deer, Tree Shrew and Wild Dog. There is a Tree Shrew unique to these hills and this has often been seen in the Vanniyar Valley. The number of bison has grown to such an extent that there are frequent problems of people being attacked. There are also instances where Lone bulls refuse to move from plantation areas and become a big hindrance to cultivation.
Topography & Climate
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Yercaud
Topography
The Shevaroy Hill ranges forms a compact block of 20 kms in extent with a plateau of about 150 square kms. The average height of the hill is about 1100 meters or 3600 feet amsl. The highest peak on the plateau is Sholaikaradu, which is about 1624 meters (5410 feet) and situated outside the reserved forest limits. The two highest peaks within the forest of the plateau are Shevarayan 1596 meters or 5342 feet and Sanyasikaradu or Duffs Hills at 5231 Feet.
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Yercaud
climate
The climate of the Shevaroys is said to be one of the most equable in the world. It is not so cold as Ooty and Kodaikanal. It is less damp. The days are as a rule bright and clear, with perhaps a good heavy shower late in the afternoon or at night. The mean temperature ranges from 22° to 25° C. In winter, temperature may rarely fall below 10°Cans on extremely hot days temperature may shoot up to 32° C. The average rainfall is about 45 to 60 inches from both the South West and North East monsoons. If the rains stop by November the summers are pretty hot and you have more forest fires. while if there is rainfall upto Dec 15 one is spared the curse of these fires and the summer temperature is more moderate.
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