Valparai: Tamil Nadu’s Tea Hills Where Lion-Tailed Macaques Rule

Valparai: Tamil Nadu’s Tea Hills Where Lion-Tailed Macaques Rule

High up in the Anamalai Hills of Tamil Nadu, Valparai greets visitors with misty tea gardens, winding ghat roads, and an unusually rich biodiversity. The hill town, surrounded by sprawling plantations, is more than just a scenic getaway—it is also home to one of India’s rarest primates, the lion-tailed macaque.

These striking monkeys, with their dark coats and silver manes, are found only in the Western Ghats and are among the most endangered primates in the world. Valparai shelters a small but vital population, making it a crucial conservation landscape. Unlike many other macaque species, lion-tailed macaques prefer the upper canopy of rainforests and spend most of their lives feeding on fruits, insects, and native tree species like Cullenia and wild figs.

But life here is not without challenges. Decades of tea and coffee plantation expansion have fragmented their natural forest, forcing these usually shy creatures to spend more time on the ground. Increasingly, they are seen along roads, tea estates, and even human settlements, scavenging for discarded food. This change in behaviour puts them at risk of road accidents, unhealthy diets, and rising human–wildlife conflict.

Conservationists have been working tirelessly to reduce these risks. One innovative solution has been the installation of canopy bridges over busy roads. These rope-like structures connect patches of forest, allowing macaques to travel safely without descending to dangerous crossings. Local awareness programs also remind travellers not to feed the primates and encourage slower driving on ghat sections where macaques often appear.

Despite the threats, the macaques of Valparai continue to adapt and survive. Their presence has also drawn attention to the broader importance of protecting the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot. Every troop seen leaping across the canopy is a reminder that these hills are more than plantations—they are living forests that need space to breathe.

For travellers, Valparai offers more than breathtaking viewpoints and cool weather. It offers the rare chance to witness one of nature’s most resilient survivors in its fragile habitat. Saving the lion-tailed macaques is not just about protecting a species; it is about ensuring that the green heart of Tamil Nadu continues to thrive.