WILD LIFE

WILD LIFE

    Kerala has about 30% of its land cover accounted for by Forests. The jungles of Kerala are famous for the elephants and tigers besides other animals like sambar, deer and wild buffalos. Periyal wild life sanctuary, Parimhikulam wild life sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park are the major wild life centres, Kumarakam, Thattekkad, Maladumpara are the main Bird watching centres. The major tourist activities that can be undertaken in the wild parks are wild life tours. Elephant riders, stays at jungle lodges, tree houses fishing camps etc., Guides are available in the periyar wild life sanctuary for treks in the forest. The parambikulam wild life hours in the park.

WAYANAD WILD LIFE SANCTUARY

  A part of the Wayanad Plateau, Wayanad Wild life Sanctuary of Kerala is famous for its tigers and leopards along with the other wild life that one can find here. The sanctuary is an extension of the Bandipur National Park in Kerala at its southern border. The region, which is a part of the Nilagiri Biosphere Reserve, was notified in the year 1973 as a Wildlife Sanctuary. The management of the park laid emphasis on creating scientific conservation methods that are complementary to the traditional life style of the tribal’s residing in the region.

PERIYAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

           One of the well known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their natural habitat. The forest here, slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom of the hill. This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted here. There are boat services which takes the visitor around the lake. The best season to visit the park is between October and

June. Spread over 777 sq.km of the Cardamom Hills of Western Gahates, the Periyar sanctuary is located 137 km from Madurai. Although an excursion on the splendid artificial lake is the standard way to experience the sanctuary, you can also walk around with the local guide in a small group. Wild Elephant herds come to the Sambhar, Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers, Leopards, Malabar Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked Mongooses, etc. There are over 260 species of birds here, including Nilgiri wood Pigons, blue-winged Parakeets, White bellid Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers.

PEECHI VAZHANI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

  Location: 23 km From Thrissur. Main

Attraction: Tigers, Leopards recreational

Facility: Boating and Trekking

significance: The sanctuary contains more than 50 species of orchids and medicinal plants. The Peechi-Vazhani Sanctuary comprising of the dence, moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests is situated in the catchment area of the Peechi and Vazhani dams. With more than 50 species of orchids and medicinal plants, the sanctuary is a veritable treasure trove of area flora and fauna. The place is congenial for boating and trekking. The Wild Population The natural habitat at Peechi-Vazhani Sanctuary is frequented by Tigers, Leopards and Wild Dogs, besides the Samper and the Spotted and Barking deer.

THATTEKKAD BIRD SANCTUARY

    Location: 13 km of North-East of Kothamangalam, Main

Attractions: Malabar Grey Hornbill, Crimson-Throated Barbet, Bee eater important

Feature: Around Avian Species. In the dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forests and grassland patches  is located the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary. Home to a microcosm of India’s bird population with about 500 winged species, the sanctuary war designed by Dr. Salim Ali, the renowned ornithologist. This bird sanctuary a peninsular land of 25 sq. Km is covered with deciduous forests and plantation of rosewood, teak etc. Rare birds like the Crimson-Throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black winged Kite and the Night Heron are also commonly sighted. This rare haven offers picturesque landscapes, and is a nature lover’s paradise. Bombay Natural History Society has identified 253 species here. The rivers are rich in fish life and are shallow for most of the year.

The wild Population at the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary Houses some 200 variety of birds including gray jungle fowl, Falcons, Hornbill, Blackbird etc. Some reptiles and animal are also seen in this area. The important species of birds here are Indian rollers, Cuckoos, Common Snipes, Pheasants, Jungle Nightjars, Kites, Grey Drongos, Malabar Tro, Woodpeckers, Large Pied Wagtails, Sparrows, Grey Jungle Fowls, Hill Mynas, Robins, Jungle Babblers, Sundries and Darters. Rare birds such as Ceylon Frog-mouth, rose billed roller, Crimson-throated Barbers, Bee-eaters, Shrikes, Fairy Blue Grey-headed Fishing Eagles, Black Winged Kites, Night herons, Grey Hoi and Malabar Hornbills can also be seen

NEYYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

   Location: Southeast of Western Ghates, Kerala

Area: 128 sq. Km Main

Attractions: Crocodile Rearing Center, Lion Safari park.

Altitude: 1890 m Above Sea Level. The Neyyar sanctuary is spread over the southeast corner of the Western Ghats, and cover a total area of 128 sq. Km. The Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends 9.06 sq. Km. The vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands. The Agasthyarkoodam hill, 1890 metres high, lines in the premises of the sanctuary. Decleard as a sanctuary in 1958, it is the drainage basin for the Neyyar River and its tributaries – Mullayar and Kallar. The Wild Population Elephants, Gaul, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Tahr, Jungle Cat, substantial natural vegetation cover. The diversity of its flora makes this sanctuary an ideal gene pool preserve