Southern Regional Research Centre (S.R.R.C) is a regional centre of Central Sheep & Wool Research Institute (C.S.W.R.I), a premier Institution of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (I.C.A.R), New Delhi, under Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. SRRC was started on 16.11.1965 and it has completed 45 years of its existence at Mannavanur for the yeoman service to the nation. This centre was the “Brain child” of Former Central Govt. Agriculture Minister, Hon’ble Shri. C.Subramaniam. This centre is located 30 KM away from Kodaikanal town. This centre is the one and only Animal Science research centre under ICAR for both Tamilnadu and Kerala States. The Sheep Research Center (Mannavanur) (Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Southern Regional Research Center) was established in 1965 in a sub-temperate

Humid subtropical climate

A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...

 region for scientists to work on sheep development programmes to benefit South India

South India

South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...

 Sheep husbandry

Sheep husbandry

Sheep husbandry is a subcategory of animal husbandry specifically dealing with the raising and breeding of domestic sheep. Sheep farming is primarily based on raising lambs for meat, or raising sheep for wool. Sheep may also be raised for milk or to sell to other farmers.-Shelter and...

. It functions under the Indian Council for Agricultural Research in Delhi. It is located in Mannavanur

Mannavanur

Mannavanur , is a farming village of 1437 households in Mannavanor Panchayat, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, India, west from Kodaikanal It is by road from Kumbur village and from Kilanavayal village. Altitude is...

 village, Dindigul district

Dindigul District

Dindigul District is an administrative region in the south of Tamil Nadu, India. The district was carved out of Madurai District in the year 1985...

, Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...

, India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

 on a beautiful campus with 1340 acres (5.4 km²) of rolling grassland at: 10°13′26"N 77°21′6"E. Altitude is 2000 metres (6,561.7 ft)

Research

The mandate of the center is to:

1. To undertake basic and applied research on all aspects of sheep and rabbit production.
2. To develop, update and standardize meat, fibre and pelt technologies.
3. To impart trainings on sheep and rabbit production and utilization.
4. To transfer improved technologies on sheep and rabbit production to farmers, rural artisans and development workers.
5. To provide referral and consultancy services on production and products technology of sheep and rabbits.

Several Varieties of sheep and rabbit

Rabbit

Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...

s have been bred for wool and meat including the Angora

Angora rabbit

The Angora rabbit is a variety of domestic rabbit bred for its long, soft wool. The Angora is one of the oldest types of domestic rabbit, originating in Ankara , Turkey, along with the Angora cat and Angora goat. The rabbits were popular pets with French royalty in the mid 18th century, and spread...

, Chinchilla

Chinchilla

Chinchillas are crepuscular rodents, slightly larger and more robust than ground squirrels, and are native to the Andes mountains in South America. Along with their relatives, viscachas, they make up the family Chinchillidae....

, White giant and others. Scientific research here is focused on:

1. Performance Evaluation of Broiler and Angora Rabbits in Field Conditions
2. Demonstration Unit of Bharat Merino
   Merino
   The Merino is an economically influential breed of sheep prized for its wool. Merinos are regarded as having some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep...
   
    and Avikalin Sheep
3. Operational Research Project on Transfer of Technology for Improvement in Sheep, Rabbit and Wool Production

They employ 4 full-time scientists and 3 technical officers.

Contact: Dr.A.S.Rajendiran, MVSc, Ph.D., Senior Scientist and Officer In Charge, Southern Regional Research Centre, CSWRI, Mannavanur, Kodaikanal 624 103, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu EMAIL

Trekking

Some popular trekking

Backpacking (wilderness)

Backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping for an overnight stay in backcountry wilderness...

 routes pass through the Sheep Center. The route from Kavunji

Kavunji

Kavunji is a Panchayat village of terrace farmers at the far western end of the Western Ghats in Kodaikanal block of Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu state, South India, Pincode 624103. It is from Kodaikanal at: . Elevation is...

 to Kukkal

Kukkal

Kukkal is a Panchayat village of terrace farmers at the far western end of the Palani Hills in Kodaikanal block of Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu state, South India. It is from Kodaikanal at: . Elevation is . Kookal is notable for the high biodiversity of the area.-Geography:Kukkal sits at the...

 is fairly difficult.

From Kavunji take a footpath leading to Mannavanur. From there an old footpath leads to the sheep farm. Cross it and reach the Kodaikkanal road. Follow the road to Kukkal. Enroute, the meadows of sheep farm is pleasant. Near Kukkal you see the caves where ancient men were living. Deer are common.

Tourists are required to get permission from the forest Department to see the forest Areas. Please contact : Government of Tamil Nadu, Tourist Office, Annasalai, Kodaikanal, PH; 04542- 241675

This is one of the last extensive chunks of high altitude grassland left in the Palani Hills. Others have been taken over by Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...

, Wattle

Wattle

Wattle may refer to:*Wattle , a fleshy growth hanging from the head or neck of certain animals.*Wattle is another term for Congenital cartilaginous rest of the neck...

 and other plantations. Spotted deer, gaur

Gaur

The gaur , also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations...

, wild dogs

Dhole

The dhole is a species of canid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the only extant member of the genus Cuon, which differs from Canis by the reduced number of molars and greater number of teats...

, sambar and other animals are regular visitors to the campus. The small lake within it has common carp

Common carp

The Common carp is a widespread freshwater fish of eutrophic waters in lakes and large rivers in Europe and Asia. The wild populations are considered vulnerable to extinction, but the species has also been domesticated and introduced into environments worldwide, and is often considered an invasive...

 and mirror carp

Mirror carp

Mirror carp are a type of fish, commonly found in the United Kingdom and Europe. The name "Mirror Carp" originates from their scales' resemblance to mirrors. They can grow in excess of 60lb - the last few British record fish have all been mirror carp....

, and otter.

Visitor Information

Mannavanur is about an hour’s drive from Kodaikanal and visitors are welcome. See the officer-in-charge at the main office building.
Educational institutions can get permission from the officer-in-charge for small groups to camp overnight.