Geography of Ooty

Udhagamandalam and Ootacamund are the geographic names of India’s popular tourist destination widely known as Ooty. Ooty is positioned in South West of India deep inside the district of Nilgiris where ranges of Western and Eastern Ghats meet. Ooty stands between the four mountain ranges viz. Snowdon, Elk Hill, Doddabetta and Club Hill, Doddabetta of Ooty being the second highest peak in South India. This land is a scenic feast to the eyes of visitors with pleasant weathers prevailing all round the year making it a perfect summer retreat.

The jurisdiction of Ooty stretches an area of 36 sq Kms. at an altitude of 2240 metres. More than 50% of the land area consists of forests. This magnificent forest area is a major contribution to the economic wealth and scenic beauty of the area.

The population of the city as recorded in the census of 2011 is 88422. The population of Ooty primarily constitutes of several recognized and unrecognized tribes. The most prominent of all the tribes are Todas along with Badaga and Paniyas. The population of Toda tribes dominate among the dwellers of Nilgiri forests. The urban population records a high literacy rate of 83.3% among both men and women of urban regions. The region also accounts a sex ratio more than 1000 females per thousand males indicating gender balance in the region. Primarily the language spoken in the region is Tamil along with English, Hindi and Malayalam, but the tribal population speaks the folk languages Toda, Badaga and Paniya.

The land area of Ooty features a wonderful blend of lofty mountains, plateaus, valleys, rivers, streams, lakes that contribute to the scenic advantage of the city.  The land is also amazingly diverse and rich in lands of natural splendor consisting of extensive flora and fauna. Nature trails, hilly grasslands and reserved forests make it a place ideal for tourism industry to flourish. The agro-ecological features of the land are also favorable for growing vegetables and fruits. 

Ooty enjoys a salubrious and comfortable weather all through the year, unlike rest of India, where the climates and rainfalls get to the extreme. During summer seasons the temperatures ranges around 25 degrees Celsius, while winters range between 0 degree Celsius and 21 degrees in Ooty. The region receives an average rainfall of 1100 mm per annum, getting rains during South-West and North-East monsoons. The winters fall in the month of January and February with the nights being relatively more chilling and calling for woolen clothing, while summers remain as pleasant as spring.

Ooty boasts of a rich flora. Lying in the belt of Nilgiris Ooty has tropical, semitropical and temperate vegetation. There are never-ending ranges of tea-gardens, grasslands, fine pine, eucalyptus and Shola vegetation and serving domicile to some 650 species of plants and trees. The forests of western slopes bear remarkably tall trees of 200' to 250'.
These lush and deep forests offer a diverse forest area and habitats to animals. Hence, Ooty is also home to diverse species of animals and birds, being surrounded by forests and sanctuaries. Wild Boar, Elephant, Tiger, Barking Deer, Panther, Spotted Deer, Gaur, Mouse, and Sambar can be spotted in surrounding forests of Ooty.