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The
most renowned destination is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at
Thekkady, one of India's major sanctuary areas. The drive to Thekkady
itself is enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside,
rich plantations and thick jungles.
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.
Covering an area of 777 sq. km. of lush green tropical forests, it is
the natural habitat of elephant, bison, spotted deer, sambar, bear
etc. Colourful variety of birds like the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Grey
jungle fowl and the Jungle Myna are seen.
Eravikulam National Park
This sanctuary was set up specially for the preservation of Nilgiri
Tahr, one of the seriously endangered animals. Now the number of tahrs
has increased and they constitute the largest known population of
tahrs existing in the world. In addition to tahr, the park shelters
elephants, sambars, gaurs, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, tigers
and leopards.
Accommodation and board facilities are available at Munnar, the
nearest town, which is connected to Kottayam (148 km.) and Ernakulam
(130 km.) by road. There is a motorable road upto Rajamally. Further,
travel is on foot, but the trekking is really enjoyable.
Silent Valley National Park
The Silent Valley contains India’s last substantial stretch of
tropical evergreen rain forests and it is perhaps the only vestige of
a near virgin forest in the whole of the Western Ghats. Elephants,
tigers, wild dog, flying squirrel and lion-tailed macaque are found
here.
Vehicular traffic is allowed upto Mukkali from Mannarghat. From
Mukkali one has to cover at least 24 km on foot to reach the source of
river Kuntipuzha, which flows through the valley.
Nearest railhead is Palghat, 75 km away. Admission to this part is
restricted. Prior permission is required to visit the part. For
further detail contact: The Divisional Forest Officer, Palghat.
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
This bird sanctuary is a peninsular land of 25 sq. km. Formed between
the branches of River Periyar. The rivers are rich in fishlife and are
shallow for most of the year. The avifauna includes both resting
indigenous birds and water birds. The most notable of the indigenous
birds are Malabar grey hornbill, grey jungle fowl, heron, egret,
jungle myna, wood pecker, rose winged and blue winged parakeet. Rare
birds like Ceylon frog-mouth, rose billed roller etc. are also seen.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
This bird sanctuary is a peninsular land of 25 sq. km. Formed between
the branches of River Periyar. The rivers are rich in fishlife and are
shallow for most of the year. The avifauna includes both resting
indigenous birds and water birds. The most notable of the indigenous
birds are Malabar grey hornbill, grey jungle fowl, heron, egret,
jungle myna, wood pecker, rose winged and blue winged parakeet. Rare
birds like Ceylon frog-mouth, rose billed roller etc. are also seen.
Parambikulam is endowed with luxuriant vegetation. It has one of the
largest population 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.
Facilities for boarding and lodging are available at the sanctuary.
There are forest rest houses at Thunacadavu, Thellikkal and Elathode.
Motor transport and boat cruise can be arranged on requestThe Indira
Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu lies adjacent.
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary is situated just above the arch dam. An area of 70 sq.
km. of forest land in between the Periyar and Cheruthoni rivers form
an excellent habitat for wildlife. Elephants, bisons, bear, wild
boars, sambar etc are found in this area. The lake on the three sides
of the sanctuary offers a panoramic view to the tourists.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Proximity to Eravikulam National Park and Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
in Tamil Nadu makes Chinnar rich in wildlife. This sanctuary is easily
accessible from Udumalpet in Tamil Nadu and Munnar in Kerala.
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends 9.06 sq. km. The
vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands.
Agasthyakoodam of 1890 metres elevation is in this sanctuary.
Elephants, gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr, jungle cat, wild boar,
Nilgiri Langur etc. are seen. A crocodile rearing centre, deer farm
and lion safari park are the main attractions near the dam site.
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
Elephants, sloth bear, sambar, mouse-deer etc. are found in this
sanctuary. It is also rich in avifauna and reptiles. This sanctuary is
easily accessible from Kannur.
Peechi - Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
It lies in the catchment areas of Peechi and Vazhani dams in Trichur
District. Peechi, the headquarters of the sanctuary is 15 km by road
from Trissur.
Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary
It is 40 km from Mananthavady. There are no bus services to Nagarhole
from Mananthavady, only jeeps and trucks are available. There is a PWD
Rest House, Forest Rest House and Forest Inspection Bungalow at
Mananthavady. The reservation authorities are the District Collector,
Waynad and the DFO, Mananthavady. There are also mid range hotels and
an Indian Coffee House here. From Cannanore, Tellicherry and Calicut
there are frequent buses to Mananthavady.
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
Peppara is accessible from Vithurai on Thiruvananthapuram – Ponmudi
road. This sanctuary with its rich fauna and birds is emerging as a
big attraction to wildlife enthusiasts. It is spread over an area of
53 Sq. km. on the Western Ghats. This is dotted with large hills and
numerous hillocks with forests and Eucalyptus plantations. Elephant,
Sambar, Leopard and Lion tailed macaque are commonly seen. |
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