:: Destinations

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

(Thekkady)

How to Reach Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary ((Thekkady)) By Air : Kochi (Cochin) at 200-kms or Madurai in Tamil Nadu at140-kms is the nearest airports from Periyar. By Rail : Kottayam at 114-kms is the nearest railhead from Periyar. By Road : Kumily, the nearest town from Periyar is well served by both state and private buses from Kottayam, Ernakulam and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

 

Periyar National Park is situated in the hills of the Western Ghats in the state of Kerala in SW India. The centre piece of Periyar National park is the 5,500-hectare Periyar lake formed by the construction of a dam on the Periyar river in 1895.The dam submerged low-lying forest whose dead tree trunks still jut out of the waters. Along the fringes of the lake are marshy areas with tall grasslands. This is one of the richest habitats of large mammals, as it provides both excellent cover and nourishment in the form of succulent shoots and grasses. Here it is possible to see large herds of Indian Elephant with relative ease as well as Nilgiri Langur near Aranya Niwas and the Liontail Macaque in higher areas..

Periyar Widllife Sanctuary boasts a quite rich and diverse flora. The flora in Periyar National Park chiefly comprises of Tropical Evergreen forests (30,500ha) and Semi-evergreen forests (27,500ha) around the reservoir, and Moist-deciduous forests and Woody grasslands in the central part of the park.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 40 kms from Thodupuzha.This sanctuary extends over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district spreading over 77sq. kms, at 450 - 748m above sea level.

 

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
Location : 50 kms north east of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Area : 5.82 Sq. Kms. Time to Visit : October to March Rainfall : 100 m to 1717m.

 

The forests of Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary constitute the catchment of Peppara dam constructed across Karamana river and commissioned during 1983 to augment drinking water supply to Thiruvananthapuram city and suburban areas. Considering the ecological significance of the area, it was declared as sanctuary during 1983. The area was formerly a part of Paruthippally range of Thiruvananthapuram Territorial Division.

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary consists of Part of Palode reserve (24sq.kms) and part of Kottoor reserve (29sq.kms). The total area of the sanctuary is 53 sq.kms. The total water spread of the reservoir is 5.82 sq.kms.

The sanctuary is located about 50kms. north east of Thiruvananthapuram city in Nedumangad taluk of Thiruvananthapuram district between longitude 76?40' and 77?17' east and latitude 80?7'and 8?53' north. General topography of the area is hilly with elevation varying from 100 m to 1717m. Rainfall and other climate factors are similar to that of Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. There are 13 tribal settlements in the sanctuary. Eleven are in Athirumala section and two are in Thodayar section.

The area also includes the areas of two other sanctuaries, the Palode reserve (24sq.kms) and the Kottoor reserve (29sq.kms). The terrain of the sanctuary is more or less hilly. Peppara National Park is the natural habitat of tiger, panther, wild dog, elephant, gaur, mouse deer, Nilgiri langur, sambhar, lion tailed macaque, barking deer, wild boar, Malabar squirrel etc. Birdlife of the sanctuary is also prolific. The bird species include the water birds like darter, little cormorant, pied king fisher and egrets. A wide variety of species of snakes including the king cobra and python are also found in this reserve. The Peppara National Park is also well known for its extensive variety of moth and butterflies. In addition to the wildlife, 13 tribal settlements are also found in the Peppara National Park

How to Reach Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary By Air : The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram (32 Kms) from where frequent and regular buses are available for Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary. You can also board a flight to your desired destination after returning from the wildlife sanctuary. By Rail : the nearest railhead from the sanctuary is Thiruvananthapuram, which is well connected with Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and even Kashmir. The buses are available for the sanctuary from Trivandrum. From Trivandrum you can also board a train to depart to your desired destination. By Road : Peppara wildlife sanctuary is easily and conveniently accessible from Vithurai on Thiruvananthapuram - Ponmudi road.
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

The Idukki reservoir formed by three dams-Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu-extends to 33 sq. km.

A picturesque lake, a majestic arch dam across two hills and roaming herds of elephants and gaur are sights that lure you to this enchanting canopy of tropical semi-evergreen and deciduous forests. The fauna also includes Langur, Leopard and Wild Boar.

Wild Population of Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary has a large variety of flora and fauna. Among the mammals, Elephants, Bison, Sambhar, Deer, Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats, Tiger, Wild Boar etc reptiles such as Cobra, Viper, Krait and a large number of non- poisonous snakes can be seen.

Jungle Fowl, Myna, Laughing Thrush, Black Bulbul, Peafowl, Woodpecker, Kingfisher etc also inhabit the place in large numbers.

 

Best time to visit : The period from October to June is suitable for visiting the area How to Reach Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary By Air : The nearest Airport is at Cochin, 113 kms. By Rail : Kottayam is the nearest Railway Station, 110 kms. By Road : Idukki can be reached by mortable roads from most parts of Kerala

Locations	40 Kms From Thodupuzha, Kerala	Famous For : Elephants
Area : 77 sq. Kms	Altitude : 450-758m Above Sea Level

Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the north-east and Mudimalai of Tamilnadu on the south-east. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reservem, Which has been established with the specific objective of conservating the biological heritage of the region. Interestingly, it was from here that Pazhassi Raja fought valiantly against the British.

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
Location : 35 Kms from Thalassery, and 60 km from Kannur town, Kerala, India. Established : 1984  Area : 55 Sq. Km. Best time to visit : October to June

A mere 55 sq.kms in area and located on the western slopes of the Western Ghats, the Aralam sanctuary is the northern most wildlife sanctuary of Kerala. It was established in 1984. The headquarters of the sanctuary is near Iritty, a small town about 55 kms from Kannur. The sanctuary adjoins the Central State Farm at Aralam. It lies between north latitude 11?50' and 11? 52' and east longitude 75? 49' and 75? 57'.

 

 

How to Reach Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary By Air : The nearest airport is Karipur airport, located at a distance of 71 kilometers from the sanctuary. By Rail : The nearest railway station is at a distance of 35 kilometers from this sanctuary. By Road : The sanctuary can be reached from anywhere in Kerala and Kannur as it well connected by a wide network of roads.
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary Total Area: 128 sq. kms Best time to visit: October to March How to get there: Rail- Mullayar Species found: Elephants, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Tahr, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Nilgiri Langur etc.

The Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends 9.06 sq. km. The vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands. The Agasthyakoodam hill, 1890 metres high, lies in the premises of the 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.The vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands. The Agasthyarkoodam hill, 1890 metres high, lies in the premises of the sanctuary.

Declared as a sanctuary in 1958, it is the drainage basin for the Neyyar River and its tributaries - Mullayar and Kallar.

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Location : 110 Kms from Palakkad. Area : 285 Sq. Kms. Established : 1973 Time to Visit : Round the Year

The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a reservoir of tranquil greenery ensconced in a valley between the Annamalai ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala. The areas hilly and rocky, drained by several rivers, including the Parambikulam, the Sholayar and the Thekkedy. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary,Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary Tamil Nadu,Parambikulam Sanctuary Tour Parambikulam was once home to some of south India's finest stands of teak. Little remains of the original teak forests, other than the famous Kannimari teak tree, the largest in Asia as most of these have now been replaced by teak plantations. The tree is about 5 km from Thunakadavu, and is one of Parambikulam's prime attractions.

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary Location : 110 Kms from Palakkad. Area : 285 Sq. Kms. Established : 1973 Time to Visit : Round the Year

 

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