The history of Munnar begins in the middle of the 19th Century. She owes her tribute to Mr. John Daniel Manro, an adventurous Englishmen and Kannan Thevar, the tribal chief of Anchunadu (a small tribal kingdom including Marayoor, Kanthaloor, Kovilkadavu etc. which is considered to be one of the earliest human settlements in the whole of South India). After getting the permission from his Highness, Maharaja of Poonjar for acquiring 588 square kilometres of land, with the assistance of Kannan Thevar, Mr. Manro and his companions visited the misty mountains and hills of Munnar. Immediately they understood that the place is best suited for plantations.

Cardomom, coffee and Zinchona were cultivated first. Later the Thalayar, Panniar, Suryanelly and Anglo American companies bought the land from Manro. They started the tea plantations which slowly covered the area completely. In honour of the tribal chief whose assistance was invaluable, the Englishmen named the tea plantations Kannan Devan hills and the company, the Kannan Devan Tea Company.The plantation was sold to Tata Finlay Company later now it is Kannan Devan Hill Producers Company! Kannan Devan Company is really instrumental in moulding Munnar in ther present form. Munnar is not a ranged spot with l< artificial additions like t parks, concrete creation This is really a gift of ni yea - a gift from Almighty. Those whi genuine natural beaut really find Munnar mem and invaluable place. M is the right place for a pleasure trip any time except during monsoons. Mainly months, June, July andAugust constitute the rainyseason in Munnar. InDecember and JanuaryMunnar is quite chilly,temperature dropssignificantly. In March, Apriland May the climate here isquite comfortable, so this willbe the right time for a trip to Munnar. toThe greenish heaven awaits you, like a virgin land untouched by artificial creations. So come and enjoy all the comforts offered by these beautiful hills and valleys which are rightly called the Kashmir of South India

Nestled among the mystical mountains and serene evergreen forest of phe Western Ghats of Kerala is the confluence of three rivers-Munnar. She is Jreally a jewel in the crown of Kerala, 'God's Own Country'. I The enchanting calm of mother nature with the exhilarating mountains, '1he charming exotica of wild life, the tranquillity of the verdant grasslands on the rolling hills, the rambling streams and rivulets with innumerable dazzling waterfalls, the blanket of emerald green tea plantations and the placid lakes, all display nature's finest offering. The spicy fragrance of the wind, virgin beauty of the wooded valleys and seductive landscape makes her a lovers' paradise.

Munnar was the summer resort of the British India. Rising more than 1600 meters above sea level, the mountain peaks remain covered by a misty *• gown most of the year. She stretches unendingly at the foot hill of Anamudy, the tallest mountain in the Western Ghats.

Climate

The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 1,600 meters (5,249 ft) to 1,800 meters (5,906 ft) above mean sea level. Munnar enjoys a salubrious climate. The weather ranges between 5 °C (41 °F) and 10 °C (50 °F) in winter and 15 °C (59 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F) in summer. The tourist season is from August to May. However, even the monsoons are lovely with many streams and rivulets in the area.

Most native flora and fauna of Munnar has disappeared due to severe habitat fragmentation by plantations. However, most of the species survive in several protected areas nearby, including the new Kurinjimala Sanctuary to the east, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Manjampatti Valley in Amaravati reserve forest of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary to the north east, Eravikulam National Park and Anamudi Shola National Park to the north, Pampadum Shola National Park to the south and the proposed Palani Hills National Park to the east. These protected areas are especially known for several threatened and endemic species including Nilgiri Thar, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Nilgiri Wood-pigeon, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, and Neelakurinji.