Kochi: The 51st Tiger Reserve in the country will come up in Meghamalai on Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. This forest region is the continuation of Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala.

The new tiger reserve is formed by combining the Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary. The forest department has found presence of 14 tigers in the area.

With the opening of the new tiger reserve, Tamil Nadu will  get a new opportunity in wildlife tourism. The Meghamalai is located in Theni and Madurai districts.

The new Tiger Reserve is situated in an area of 1016.57 square kilometres which shares borders with Kerala. Among this, 641.86 square kilometres is core area of the reserve and 374.70 square kilometres is its buffer zone.