The Mudumalai National Park and wildlife sanctuary, a protected area famous for its rich biodiversity and elephant population, is located in which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
Mudumalai National Park is an important protected area in southern India and is often mentioned in general knowledge questions about wildlife, biodiversity and environment. This question checks if you know the Indian state in which this park is located.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The park is called Mudumalai National Park and wildlife sanctuary.
• It is known for elephants and other wildlife and lies in the Nilgiri landscape of southern India.
• Several neighbouring states are listed: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Concept / Approach:
Mudumalai National Park is situated in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu, at the tri junction of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. It is contiguous with Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and Wayanad wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. Although it borders other states, administratively it falls within Tamil Nadu. Therefore, among the given options, Tamil Nadu is the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Nilgiri hills region is mainly associated with the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. Step 2: Remember that Mudumalai is located in the Nilgiri district on the Tamil Nadu side of this landscape. Step 3: Note that Bandipur National Park lies across the border in Karnataka and Wayanad sanctuary lies in Kerala, forming a continuous wildlife belt with Mudumalai. Step 4: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are further to the east and north and do not contain the Nilgiri hills. Step 5: Conclude that Tamil Nadu is the state in which Mudumalai National Park is located.

Verification / Alternative check:
Tourism and forest department information clearly lists Mudumalai as part of Tamil Nadu, under the jurisdiction of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Maps of the Nilgiri biosphere reserve show the park within Tamil Nadu boundaries, even though it adjoins protected areas in the neighbouring states.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Karnataka: Contains Bandipur and Nagarhole national parks, but Mudumalai is across the border in Tamil Nadu.
Kerala: Includes Wayanad, Parambikulam and other sanctuaries, yet Mudumalai is not in Kerala territory.
Andhra Pradesh: Contains other wildlife areas such as Sri Venkateswara National Park, not Mudumalai.
Telangana: Located further north with its own protected areas and has no geographical overlap with the Nilgiri region.

Common Pitfalls:
Because Mudumalai is close to the Karnataka and Kerala borders and forms a continuous landscape with their parks, students often mistakenly place it in one of these states. A good memory aid is to associate Mudumalai with the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu and remember that Bandipur is in Karnataka and Wayanad is in Kerala, forming a tri state cluster of protected areas.

Final Answer:
Mudumalai National Park is located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.