Permanent Pictorial cancellation : Mudumalai

I recently visited the Mudumalai Tiger reserve, a beautiful place to roam around especially for nature lovers like me.  But unfortunately, we could spot nothing more than a few spotted deers, bisons, mongoose and a handful of langurs, peacocks and peahens.  Though being the home of a variety of animals especially tigers ( Mudumalai Tiger Reserve) because of we humans they have been much disturbed. For example, the honking of cars, pollution and people's attitude towards these poor creatures have made these creatures insecure depriving them the comfort of their habitat. I have always wanted to become an environmental engineer to make a little difference in these matters. I also encourage each one of you to help towards preserving nature.

Now coming to the philatelic aspect of the topic, Mudumalai is a reserve located in the Nilgiris in between the boundaries of Kerala and Karnataka. It is at an elevation of about 1000 m and extends over an area of 323 sq. kms. Mudumalai B.O. had introduced a permanent pictorial cancellation of the Indian bison or Gaur on 05.04.1975.  Gaurs, spotted deers, elephants are few among the most common species found here.

Udagamandalam PPC

Udagamandalam Permanent Pictorial Cancellation

Pictorial cancellations are produced specially for a particular place for specific reasons. At the time of writing this, Tamil Nadu has about 34 permanent pictorial cancellations.  Udagamandalam or Ooty is one such place where a Permanent pictorial cancellation is available.  It is a hill station in the Nilgiris. The Queen of Hills, Ooty was the summer capital of the Madras Presidency during the British period. Dottabetta, the highest peak in southern India is located here.

The cancellation shows a Toda hut of the native Toda tribes. The cancellation was introduced on 15.07.1994.

The Todas are the ancient inhabitants of the upper Nilgiris plateau. It is believed by the Toda tribes that they were created by Lordess Teikirshy from the earth of Nilgiris. Now barely 500 todas are left. The outsider's acquisition of their land for agriculture and the afforestation of the road laying works by the Government threatened their habitat and narrowed down their pastoral activities.  

Below is the Picture postcard of the Toda hut issued by the India Post Tamil Nadu Circle.

Below are the few mails with Toda Hut pictorial cancellation available at Ooty's main Post Office. Thanks to Mr. Ravichandran and Mr. Sivaraj and the Philatelic Bureau in charge, Mr. Narayanan, Ooty Post Office.

A few other Permanent pictorial cancellations of  Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh postal circle can be viewed through:

philateli.blogspot.com/2015/10/permanent-pictorial-cancellations.html

philateli.blogspot.com/2016/04/permanent-pictorial-cancellation-aayi.html

philateli.blogspot.com/2015/06/permanent-pictorial-cancellation.html