KERALA Wildlife |
Kerala, the land of mountains, rivers, lakes, backwaters, has numerous national parks and Sanctuaries.
The enchanting green forest with elephants, tigers, wild dogs, sambars, gaurs, leopards, and many indigenous and water birds
gives the tourist a rare sight.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. |
|