Coimbatore Forest Division is located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, particularly in Coimbatore District and comprises a beautiful landscape involving rich Indian wildlife, rivers, hills and forests. Siruvani, Aliyar, Noyyal and Bhavani Rivers which are based here are the source of irrigation and drinking water for the regional inhabitants as well as the farmers of the region of Coimbatore. The local forests of this part of the country are spread over an area measuring about 693.48 square kilometres. The refreshing calmness of Coimbatore District, along with its clean ambience and pleasant climate can be easily attributed to the Coimbatore Forest Division. The larger portion of the Coimbatore Forest Division is existent towards the southern end spreading towards Western Ghats while its north-western parts represent the lower ranges of the Nilgiri Mountains. The Coimbatore Forest Division belongs to the Core Zone of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) and is largely a portion of NBR.
Two forest divisions supervise the Coimbatore Forest Division, which is present towards the northern side of Palghat. The Nilgiris South Forest Division, Sathiyamangalam, Nilgiris North and Erode surround the Coimbatore Forest Division on its north and north-western portion. The Palghat Forest Division of Kerala is situated around the western and south-western part of the Palghat Division. The Coimbatore Forest Division can be categorised into seven parts, based on their geographical physiography.
The Nilgiris Slopes Reserved Forests
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a part of the Nilgiris Slopes Reserved Forests which is referred to as an International Biosphere Reserve and is located in Western Ghats which is close to the Nilgiri Hills in the southern part of the country. The UNESCO had developed this reserve forest in the year 1986. More than 100 species of mammals, 80 species of reptiles, 316 species of butterflies, 350 species of birds, 31 amphibians and 39 species of fishes.
Plain Forests around Mettupalayam
There exists several forests close to Mettupalayam and Longwood Shola is considered the best forest in this region. Located at a distance of nearly 33 kms away from Mettupalayam is a forest near Gudalpur, another close to Theni called Velli Malai and it is based at a distance of 95 kms from Mettupalayam.
The Velliangadu Valley
The area of Velliangadu is present in the Velliangadu Panchayat area in Coimbatore District in the state of Tamil Nadu and is also termed as `Bellikadai` in the Kannada language. It is also called `Kovai` and there exists a valley near this region.
The Walayar Valley
The town of Walayar is situated in Coimbatore and its valley is covered with a Deer Park near NH 47 which is presently in inferior conditions on account of absence of modern facilities and proper maintenance.
The other parts of Coimbatore Forest Division include some other places consisting of The Bolampatty Valley, Naickenpalayam Valley and Thadagam Valley. The Coimbatore Forest Division also administers the Coimbatore Elephant Reserve which provides refuge to innumerable Elephants.
