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Nestled in lush forest of the
Western Ghats
in Kerala are fourteen wildlife sanctuaries. And skirting these
exotic destinations are some of the most delightful trekking
trails in the country. Some of them adventurously exciting,
others enchanting in equal measure. All washed in the
spice-scented air of endless acres of plantations.
Idukki
Eravikulam
National Park
[15 km from Munnar]
Eravikulam
National Park, the second prominent National Park in Kerala, is situated in
Devikulam Taluk of Idukki district. The sanctuary came into
being in 1975 to protect the Nilgiri Tahr, the Eravikulam
Sanctuary was declared a National Park in 1978. Now the park has
the largest known population of Tahrs existing in the world.
The park, which covers an area of 97 sq.km of rolling
grassland and rocky peaks, is breathtakingly beautiful and akin
to the
Alps. Anamudi [2694 mts], the highest peak in the south
India lies in the
Eravikulam
National Park.
Sanctuary Visit:
The Park is divided into 3 regions - the core area, the
buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to
the tourism area, which is in the Rajamala region. The Nilgiri
Tahr can be observed at close quarters here.
Trekking facilities are available here. Tourists are allowed
to go on foot up to Anamudi. This is also a place for adventure
tourism.
Chinnar Wild life Santuary
60 kms north of Devikulam, sprawls the Chinnar wildlife
sanctuary. With its distinct flora and fauna this virgin rain
forest presents you the best of the tropics. An exquisite
Sandalwood forest near by is an added attraction.
Chinnar is the habitat for the endangered Giant Grizzled
Squirrel of India.
[Last world wide count-less than 200] and the Star Tortoise;
in addition to a large population of Guar. It is the ideal place
to see ‘march past’ of Bison herd.
Best Time to visit
One can visit the
sanctuary almost throughout the year except during the months of
October and November. Visiting time: 0700 -1800 hrs.
Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary [15 km from Munnar]
Rajamala is the natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr. Situated
on 2695 m above sea level. Half the world population of the rare
mountain goat is concentrated in this region.
The Tahr is fast becoming extinct. The sanctuary is a part of
the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, and visitors are allowed only
to the tourism area in Rajamala region with the permission of
the authority concerned.
The Nilgiri Tahrs are now reduced to small herds found in
Eravikulam-Rajamala region. The total number of Nilgiri Tahrs in
Rajamala is estimated to be over 1300
Visiting Time:
0700 - 1800 hrs.
Visitors are not allowed during the monsoon.
Entry
Pass:
Rs. 10 for adults, Rs. 5 for children
below 12 years, Rs. 50 for foreigners.
Permitting Authority: Wild Life DFO, Munnar. Tel:
91-486-530487.
Thekkady [Periyar wild life sanctuary]
Thekkady,
India’s largest wildlife sanctuary is spread over 777 sq. kms surrounded
by an artificial lake over an area of 25 sq. km. It is at an
elevation of 914m to 1828m above seal level. The sanctuary
offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the animals via boat
rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife areas encircle.
In addition to the wild life, there are water and land birds
galore here, and one can sometimes find dedicated bird watchers
setting in for one or two weeks of serious observations.
The country soul Tiger reserve, Thekkady, with its
bountiful treasure of tropical flora and fauna is the ultimate
reservoir of many an endangered species and rich tribal culture.
Thekkady is a pleasant heaven on earth for those who love nature
in its wild manifestations.
The old Travancore State Government created the wildlife
sanctuary in 1934. It was designated as a part of 'Project
Tiger' in 1978. The sanctuary is well known for viewing all
aspects of Elephantine life. Besides tiger and elephants, the it
is a haven for, bison, sambar, spotted deer, leopard, bear,
Malabar flying squirrel, stripe necked mongoose, black Nilgiri
Langurs, Nilgiri tahr etc. There is also a rich variety of
reptiles and amphibian. The sanctuary has over 265 species of
birds, like Malabar Grey Hornbill, Grey jungle fowl and the
Jungle Myna, which includes the migrant birds.
The Main attraction in the sanctuary is a cruise through
a man made lake where various wild animals like elephants,
bison, deer, bear, tiger etc can be seen coming to drink water.
The forest department would also arrange Elephant rides and
trekking inside the sanctuary.
Elephant rides
Time: 1000 hrs to 1700
hrs. Duration of a trip: 30 minutes Fare: Rs. 30 per person.
Tickets are available from the wildlife information Counter
Tel.: 91-486-322028
Trekking
Main trekking areas in Thekkady: Kurisumala near Kumily,
Pullumedu, Ottakathalamedu: 5 km from Kumily, Grampi near
Vandiperiyar.
Plantation Eco -
Tours
Plantation Eco-Tours are arranged from the District Tourism Information Office
at Thekkady in Kumily. Tours cover cardamom, pepper, coffee and
tea plantations, tea factories, tribal settlements and the
surrounding hill regions Tel.: 91-486-322620.
Boat cruises on the
Periyar
Lake
The Forest Department conducts daily treks from the boat landing
station at Thekkady to the Nellikkampetty area and Manakkavala.
Starting: 0700 hrs. Booking can be made with the Wildlife
Preservation Officer, Thekkady Ph: 322027 322028.
0700,0930,1130, 1600 hrs. The forest Department (Contact Ph:
322023) conducts boating trips from Thekkady.
Kottayam
Kumarakom Bird
Sanctuary
A 14-acre bird sanctuary is situated on the eastern banks
of the
Vembanad
Lake.
This sanctuary is an ornithologists'
paradise. One can find a wide range of migratory birds like
Siberian stork, darter, heron, egret, and teal. Every year
hundreds of Siberian cranes come across from far away
Siberia to roost and breed before going back.
A cruise in the Vembanad
lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. The sanctuary
adds to the natural beauty of Kumarakom is located 10 km to the
west of Kottayam open from
10 a.m. to
6 p.m.
A beautiful tourist resort with 100acres of Coconut estate and
Bungalow called
Baker
Mansion at Kumarakom, the former estate and residence of a British
Missionary cum planter called Baker. It is now the 'Taj Garden
Retreat', a hotel of Taj group offer comfortable accommodation
and exclusive leisure options like an Ayurvedic massage, yoga,
meditation, boating, fishing, angling and swimming.
The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation rents boats for
backwater cruises in the surrounding lake.
Ernakulam
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
 Located 54 kms from
Kochi and 12km from Kothamangalam, This bird sanctuary is a peninsular land
of 25 sq. km. formed between the branches of river Periyar.
There are more than 200 verities of birds in the region. The
most notable of the indigenous birds are Malabar grey hornbill,
Crimson-Throated Barbet, heron, egret, grey jungle fowl, jungle
myna, Sunbird, wood pecker, rose winged and blue-winged
parakeet. Rare birds like Ceylion frogmouth, Rose billed roller
etc. are also seen. Dr. Salim Ali, the renowned ornithologist,
designs the sanctuary. The sanctuary is a pleasant heaven on
earth for any ornithologist.
Kozhikkode
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
 The
sanctuary is located 19 km from
Kozhikode and 7km from Beypore
port. The sanctuary is spread over a cluster of islands in a
scenic area surrounded by hillocks where the
Kadalundi
River flows into the
Arabian Sea. The place is locally known as ‘Kadalundi Nagaram’. It is the home
of hundred varieties of native birds and over 60 verities of
migratory birds flock here in large numbers. The sanctuary is
200 m above sea level, offers a splendid view of the river mouth
and the sea. Kadalundi is also the fisherman's favourite as it
hosts a wide variety of fish, mussels and crabs.
Kannur
Alaram Wildlife Sanctuary
 The
location of the sanctuary is about 35 km from Thalassery and 60
km from Kannur town. The Aralam Sanctuary is spread over 55 sq
km of undulating forested highlands on the slopes of the
Western Ghats. Found in this tranquil sanctuary is deer, elephant, boar, sambar,
leopards, jungle cats and mouse deer as well as fauna and
reptiles. The highest
peak of
Katti Betta, covered with tropical and semi- evergreen forests rises to a
majestic height of 1145 m above sea level.
Parassinikkadavu
Snake
Park
Parassinikkadavu
Snake
Park is a unique
snake farm is located 14 km from Kannur amidst charming
settings.
Snake
Park signifies the
great role-played by snakes in care the ecology of nature. The
park is dedicated to preservation and conservation of snakes,
most of which are getting extinct gradually. There is a rich
collection of snake species including spectacled Cobras,
Monosialed Cobras, Russell, Vipers, Pit Viper and three
magnificent king cobras, housed in hygienic and scientifically
maintained pits and glass cages. There is also a large
collection of poisonous snakes and large Pythons.
Palakkad
Silent
Valley
The
Silent
Valley
National Park is about 50 km north east of Mannarkkad in the Palakkad
district. The sanctuary has perhaps the country's last
substantial stretch of evergreen rain forests, and has an area
of 90 sq km is located in the north eastern corner of the
district. The name
Silent
Valley is derived
because it is devoid even of the chirping of cicadas. The
denizens of this sprawling habitat of endangered virgin tropical
forests include Rare Birds, Deer and Tiger. Perhaps, nowhere
else can one also find such a representative collection of
peninsular mammals as in this park, which was declared a
national park in 1980.The park has a huge variety of wildlife,
with over a 100 species of Butterflies and 400 species of Moths
and other animals like the Ceylon Frog Moth, Great Indian
Hornbill, Nilgiri Laughing Thrush and the Lion-Tailed Macaque.
Also the park has home of
around 26 species of mammals and 120 species of avifauna, many
of them considered endangered. Apart from these, there are 11
species of snakes, 19 species of amphibians, and nine species of
Lizards in the park. The
Silent
Valley has over 110
plant species of medicinal value, and seven new plant species
have been discovered here. Vehicular transport is usually
allowed only up to Mukkali. From Mukkali you have to cover at
least 24 km on foot to reach the source of Kunthipuzha, which
flows through the valley before merging into the Bharathapuzha
or the 'Nila'. Best season to visit- Sept-Mar.
The visitors have to obtain the permission of the Wildlife Warden,
Silent
Valley
National Park, Mukkali, ph: 2453225.
Parambikkulam Wildlife Sanctuary
 The
Parambikkulam Wildlife Sanctuary, which is 110 km away from
Palakkad, and is one of the best sanctuary in the State. It
covers an area of 285 sq. km. around the Parambikkulam,
Thunacadavu and Peruvaripallan dams, forming a part of the
neighbouring Anamalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Parambikkulam is
endowed with luxuriant vegetation. It has one of the largest
populations of gaur (bison). Sambar, spotted deer, jungle cat,
lion-tailed macaque, common otter, sloth bear etc. are also
seen. There are also a few tigers and leopards. The
splendid reservoir amidst a picturesque environment makes
boating and cruising possible. The Kannimari Teak Tree,
said to be
Asia's largest, stands about 5 km
from Thuna-kadavu, the headquarters of Parambikkulam. Trekking
in the sanctuary is also possible. The permission to visit the
Sanctuary can be obtained from, The Divisional Forest Officer,
Parambikkulam,Thoonakkadavu, Ph: 0425-367233/67228.
Wayanad
Muthanga wildlife sanctuary [Wayanad wildlife sanctuary]
 The
wild life sanctuary at Muthaga 20 Kms from Sultan Bathery is
located very near to Karnataka border. The sanctuary is
established in 1973 is very rich in flora and fauna. It sprawls
over an area of 344 sq. km. and borders the famous Mudumalai
Sactuary in Tamil Nadu and Nagarhole and Bandipur Sanctuaries in
Karnataka. The Muthanga wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest
in the state.
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