Kerala Wildlife sancturies

Kerala is bestowed with a rich repertoire of natural bounty - mountains & hills, rivers & lakes, backwaters & shoreline. It is natural for Kerala to be home to many national parks and sanctuaries. The enchanting green forest with its rich flora and fauna makes Kerala a much sought after wildlife destination in India. The numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala will add that extra bit of excitement when you holiday in Kerala.
 

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary:

The Periyar Wildlife National Park covers an area of 77,700ha of cardamom hill ranges in the Idduki District. The tourist zone of the Periyar National Park is close to the picturesque little town of Kumily, with its exotic and colourful spice market. Thanks to the Maharaja of Travancore, Periyar was given the status of a reserve forest way back in 1934. In the year 1895, a part of the forest was dammed to protect the catchment area of the Periyar River.

The result was the beautiful 26sq km Periyar Lake, dotted with islands and tree stumps. The formalities for declaring the core area of the National Park as a National Park, are in the process of being met.

Best Time To Visit
The ideal time to visit Periyar National Park, is between the months of February and May. During this time of the year, the animals of the forest come to the lake for water as the water holes in the forest dry up. Groups of elephants playing and swimming in the shimmering lake, is not an altogether uncommon sight. Being in a motorboat can be rather reassuring.
 

Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary:

The Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary is a must for tourists wishing to experience a bit of wilderness while on Kerala travel. A part of the Wynad Plateau, the Wynad National Park in Kerala is famous for its tigers and leopards along with the other wildlife that one can find during vacations in Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary
 

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary:

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.
 

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.
 

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, woodpecker, rose winged and blue winged parakeet. Rare birds like Ceylon frog-mouth, rose billed roller etc. are also seen.
 

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary:

Parambikulam has one of the largest population of gaur (bison). Sambar, spotted deer, jungle cat, lion-tailed macaque, common otter, sloth bear etc. are the other inhabitants. 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 request. The 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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.