- Also called:
- Palni Hills
Palani Hills
Palani Hills, range of hills, an eastward extension of the Western Ghats, in southwestern Tamil Nadu state, southern India. The range is a continuation of the Anaimalai Hills in Kerala state. The Palanis are about 45 miles (70 km) wide and 15 miles (23 km) long. In the south the hills terminate abruptly in steep slopes.
The upper Palanis, in the west, consist of rolling hills covered with coarse grasses; dense forests grow in the valleys. Peaks include Vandaravu, 8,376 feet (2,553 meters); Vembadi Shola, 8,221 feet (2,505 meters); and Karunmakadu, 8,042 feet (2,451 meters). The town of Kodaikanal is located in a high basin about 7,000 feet (2,150 meters) above sea level. Potatoes, beans, root crops, pears, and peaches are cultivated in and around the hill villages. There are also bauxite mines.
The lower Palanis, in the east, form a jumble of peaks that range in elevation from 3,000 to 5,000 feet (900 to 1,500 meters) and are separated by steep wooded valleys. Teak trees have been extensively planted. Important cash crops include coffee, bananas, cardamom, citrus fruit, and turmeric.
