VIVIDITY OF KERALA WILD LIFE

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.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is very close to Eravikulam National Park and Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, which makes its wildlife all the more richer. It is easily accessible from Udumalpet in Tamil Nadu and Munnar in Kerala.

Eravikulam National Park
This sanctuary was established specially for the preservation of Nilgiri Tahr, one of the most endangered animals on the planet. 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 houses 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 which makes for some great trekking.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary spread over 70 km lies between the Periyar and Cheruthoni rivers. This helps the breeding of the various animals like 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.

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
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.


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.

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 Trichur.

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. Elephant, sambar, leopard and lion-tailed macaque are some of the commonly seen animals.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady
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.

Silent Valley National Park
The Silent Valley National Park is one of the very few unexplored tropical evergreen rain forests. Situated in the western ghats, this park offers a very soothing atmosphere. Elephants, tigers, wild dog, flying squirrel and lion-tailed macaque are found here.

This place is at 75 km from Palghat. Vehicular traffic is allowed upto Mukkali from Mannarghat. From Mukkali, one has to cover 24 km on foot to reach the source of river Kuntipuzha, which flows the valley.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
This bird sanctuary is a peninsular land of 25 sq. km, formed between the branches of the river Periyar. 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. can also be sighted.