Valparai | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Valparai | |
  Valparai Location in Tamil Nadu , India | |
| Coordinates: 10°19′39″N 76°57′19″E / 10.327556°N 76.955271°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Coimbatore |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Body | Valparai Municipality |
| • Municipal Chairman | Mrs. S.Alagusundaravalli |
| • Municipality Commissioner | Mr. K. Balu |
| Elevation | 1,059 m (3,474 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 70,589 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 642127 |
| Telephone code | 04253 |
| Vehicle registration | TN 41 |
Valparai (originally known as Poonachimalai) is a Taluk and hill station in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India. It consists of Anamalai Tiger Reserve (earlier known as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park (IGWLS&NP) and prior to that as Anaimalai Wildlife Sanctuary). It is located 3,474 feet (1,059 m) above sea level on the Anaimalai Hills range of the Western Ghats. There are a total of 56 estates here. The game of football is very popular here. State level competitions are held every year. The foothill starts exactly from Monkey Falls which is at a distance of 38 kilometres (24 mi) to Valparai. The route to Valparai from the foothills consists of 40 hairpin bends. The Kerala state border town of Malakkappara is at a distance of 27 kilometres from Valparai. While major portions of the land are owned by private tea companies, large forest areas continue to be out of bounds.[2]