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Established in 1997 the Agasthya Vanam biological park, near Thiruvananthapuram is named after the magnificent Agasthyakoodam Peak looming at a distance. The park covers a total area of 23 sq kms out of which 17.5 sq kms are marked for natural regeneration, for the growth of vegetation and development of a thick jungle. The remaining area is to be used for manipulative programs of conservation. This project was constituted by the government of India after a scientific review committee recommended the setting up of a biological reserve in the highly degraded forest area know as the Kottoor Reserve. This park has been set up for the regeneration, conservation, and propagation of a variety of wild animals, birds and plants. Though the area selected has negligible tree growth and wildlife, it has water sources in abundance and the soil is suitable for large scale afforestation.
Established in 1983, and covering a total area of 55 sq. kms, the Aralam wildlife sanctuary is located on the Western Slopes of the Western Ghats This is the Northern most wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. The Head quarters of the sanctuary is located at Iritty, a small town located about 55 kms from Kannur City. The sanctuary adjoins the Central state farm at Aralam.
The elevation of this area varies between 50m and 1145m. The highest peak in this region is Katti Betta, which is 1145m high. The normal range of temperature is between 21 degree centigrade and 40 degree centigrade in the foothills and between 8 degree centigrade and 5 degree centigrade at the higher reaches. The sanctuary receives and annual rainfall of 3000mm. The predominant forest type in this area is Tropical Ever-Green and the Tropical Semi Ever-Green.
One can reach the sanctuary by road from Thalassery ( 45 kms) and Kannur (45 kms). The nearest railway station is Thalassery and the nearest airport is Kozhikode, 113 kms from Irutti. The infrastructure for tourism development is limited at present but steps are being taken by the Forest department to improve the situation.
Visit Permits can be obtained from:
The Chief Conservator of Forests ( Wildlife)
Thiruvananthapuram - 695014
Phone : 91-471-62217
The Wildlife Warden, Wayanad Wildlife Division
Sultanbathery, Kerala - 673 592
The Assistant Wildlife Warden, Irrity
Kannur District - 670 673
Chimmony Wildlife sanctuary is in Mukundapuram Taluk of Thrissur District. Established in 1984, the sanctuary with an area of about 100 sq. kms is on the Western slopes of the Nelliyampathi hills. The forests here are Tropical Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen and the Moist deciduous forests. These forests which were once extensive and extremely thick, have been over the years been denuded by continuous over exploitation.
The sanctuary makes for a wide variety of flora still. All major species of fauna of peninsular India are well represented in the sanctuary. However, due to years of human interference, the fauna is sparse. Some minor wildlife and some elephants and Gaur are also seen occasionally. The sanctuary also offers trekking paths for the adventure traveller.
Visit Permits can be obtained from:
The Divisional Forest Officer,
Chalakkudi Division, Thrissur – 680347.
Chinnar is a unique thorny scrub forest in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats, about 60 kms from Munnar. The Park is around 90 sq. kms in area and its rugged undulating terrain has held a special fascination for the adventure traveller. It is the second habitat for the Giant Grizzled Squirrel (an endangered species) in India. The altitude varies from 500 to 2400 metres and one can sense the drastic variation in the climate and vegetation, since the gradients are quite steep. The highest peaks are Kottakombumalai (2144 metre), Vellaikal malai (1863m) and Viriyoottu malai (1845 metre). Unlike other forests of Kerala, Chinnar gets only about 48 rainy days in a year during October - November (North - East Monsoons). The forest types comprise thorny scrub forests, dry deciduous forests, high sholas and wet grasslands.
Elephants, Gaur, Panther, Spotted deer, Sambar, Giant Grizzled Squirrel, Hanuman monkey, Rabbit etc. inhabit the Chinnar forests. Chinnar being near the town of Munnar, good accommodation is easy to come by.
Eravikulam National Park is a plateau at an average height of 6500 feet, about 30 kms from Munnar, high up in the mountains of Western Ghats. This park was originally established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiri Ibex), which found its way into the endangered list of animals in the Wildlife schedule. It was declared as a sanctuary in 1975. Considering the ecological, faunal, floral, geo-morphological and zoological significance, it was declared as a National park in 1978. It covers an area of 97 sq. kms of rolling grasslands and high level sholas (evergreen forests). The park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world. Anamudi (2694m), the highest peak South of the Himalayas, is situated in this Park.
The Nilgiri Tahr population currently stands at around 1300 according to the 1998 census. This is a story of success. In 1989, there were fewer than 600 of these animals left in the wild. Thanks to some innovative and dedicated efforts of the Forest Department and some Non Governmental organisations, notably the Tahr Foundation, it appears that the immediate danger to these animals is over.
Other animals in this Park are the tiger, panther and wild dogs which are usually sighted in both the open grasslands and the shola forests. Sloth bear, Nilgiri langur and wild boar are occasionally sighted.
This is the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood trees. The sandalwood factory of the Forest Department, the caves (muniyaras) with murals and relics from the New Stone Age civilization and the children's park spread across a hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree are of great interest to tourists. Thoovanam Waterfall and Rajiv Gandhi National Park are also nearby. (40 km from Munnar).
Marayoor occupies a vast area on the slopes of the Western Ghats in Idukki district and is an important pre-historic site in Kerala. Apart from the Dolmenoid cists (Dolmenoids were burial chambers made of four stones placed on edges and covered by a fifth one called the cap stone) in Muniyara, Marayoor is famous for its natural sandalwood forests and pre-historic rock paintings.
The Neyyar sanctuary is spread over the Southeast corner of the Western Ghats, and covers a total area of 128 sq kms. This is the drainage basin for the Neyyar River and its tributaries - Mullayar and Kallar. Although it was declared as a sanctuary in 1958, not much was done about wildlife conservation. Then in 1985, a separate wildlife wing was set up and as a result, conservation efforts have gathered momentum. This sanctuary has a substantial natural vegetation cover. The diversity of its flora makes the sanctuary an ideal gene pool preserve. The towering peak of Agastyamalai at an elevation of 1868m is a very prominent landmark.
The mean summer temperature is around 35 degrees centigrade and the winter being around 16 degree centigrade. The average rainfall from the Southwest monsoon between May and July and the Northeast monsoon between October and November, is about 3000mm. The tourist season here is between the months of November and March.
The administrative complex of Neyyar complex Wildlife Sanctuary is about 1 km West of Neyyar Dam outside the sanctuary complex and has an information center, a Crocodile farm, staff quarters, rest house, and a youth hostel. The sanctuary offers facilities for the tourists to visit the lion park and also boat on the Neyyar lake.
Visit Permits can be obtained from:
The Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)
Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram - 695017
Phone : 91-471-62217
The Wildlife Warden
Thiruvananthapuram Wildlife Division
Vattiyoorkavu P.O, Thiruvananthapuram – 695013
The Assistant Wildlife Warden
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Neyyar Dam P.O
Thiruvananthapuram District - 695576.
Between the Anamalai Ranges of Tamilnadu and the Nelliampathy Ranges of Kerala on the Western Ghats is the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary. Situated in Palakkad district, it was originally a small tract of reserve forest with an area of about 48 sq. kms. However owing to the growing wildlife need, it was expanded in 1962 and today covers an area of 258 sq. kms.
Ideally suited to the growth of teak, the tract encouraged large scale teak plantations through artificial regeneration in the early 1920's. This was abandoned when a full fledged wildlife department was formed in 1985. Several streams originate from these hills and flows towards the Chalakudy river. The terrain is mostly undulating with a valley in the basin. The Karimala Gopuram is the highest peak in this region and standing at 1444m
Getting There:
The sanctuary is accessible by road from the Tamil Nadu side of the border. Buses ply between Pollachi and Parambikulam. Pollachi is 60 kms away and has a railway station. The nearest airport is Coimbatore which is around 100 kms away. From the Kerala side, the sanctuary is accessible through dirt roads and may need sturdy 4-wheel drives to take you there. All traffic is stopped from 6 AM to 6 PM.
Visit Permits can be obtained from:
Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)
Thiruvananthapuram - 695014
Phone - 91-471-62217
Field Director Project Tiger, Kottayam, Kerala.
Divisional Forest Officer
Parambikulam, Thunacadavu P.O - 6788661
via Pollachi, Palakkad District
Kerala.
Peppara is on the Western Ghats in the Nedumangad Taluk of Thiruvananthapuram district. The sanctuary was set up in 1983 taking into account its diversity in ecological, faunal and floral content. The sanctuary has substantial natural vegetation cover ranging from sub tropical forests to tropical evergreen forests.
The sanctuary covers a total area of 53 sq kms. The terrain is rugged with rushing streams, flat meadows, gentle to steep hills ranging from 90m to 1717m. The sanctuary is home to Elephants, tigers, wild boars, Nilgiri langur, gaur and palm squirrels.
Getting There:
Nearest Airport - Thiruvananthapuram (50 kms)
Nearest Rail Head - Thiruvananthapuram (50 kms)
The sanctuary complex is at Peppara. The complex includes an information center and office.
Visit Permits can be obtained from:
The Chief Conservator of Forests ( Wildlife)
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - 695014
Phone : 91-471-62217
The Wildlife Warden
Thiruvananthapuram Wildlife Division, Vattiyoorkavu P.O
Phone : 91-471-63762
The Assistant Wildlife Warden
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Dam P.O
(via) Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala – 695551
This Wildlife Sanctuary set in Thrissur district was established in 1958 shares it boundary with the Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary to the South, and extends over an area of 125 sq. kms. The terrain is undulating and the elevation varies from 45m to 900m. Ponmudi, the highest peak is 923 m high.
The Peechi Sanctuary has got about 25 species of mammals, over 60 species of birds, and about 10 species of reptiles. Tigers, Leopards and wild dogs are commonly seen, as well as Elephants and Gaur in the interiors. Several species of rare birds are also seen and hence there is a plan to make this into a bird sanctuary also.
Visit Permits can be obtained from:
The Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – 695014
Phone : 91-471-62217
The Divisional Forests Officer
Thrissur, Kerala - 680005
Phone : 91-487-23268
The Forest Range Office
Peechi Post Office, Kannara -17
Thekkady Wildlife sanctuary (also called Periyar Tiger Reserve) is a fine example of good management of forests. The sanctuary, which was a game reserve, merged with the Forest Department in 1966. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978 under the Project Tiger scheme. In 1982 the core area of the reserve (350 sq. km.) was notified as National Park. The entire Park covers hills and verdant forests extending over an area of 777 sq. km . It will be no exaggeration to say that this Park is one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in India. Here, in the crisp, cool air of the Western Ghats you will experience wilderness and abundant wildlife first hand. The uniqueness of this sanctuary is the Periyar lake, an artificial lake, which was created by damming the Periyar river a century ago.
The open grasslands are home to a magnificent variety of animals - the elephant, the bison, Gaur, Sambar deer, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Nilgiri langur, Bonnet macaque, Lion-tailed macaque leopards, Jungle cats, Wild dogs and most importantly the tiger. An estimated 40 tigers inhabit the Reserve. Other animals are bears , Porcupine, Jackal, Indian Giant Squirrel, Malabar flying squirrel, Wild boar, small Indian Civet, Mongoose and the Pangolins. The tiger is the main predator in the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Periyar Tiger Reserve is also rich in bird life. Birds such as Malabar Hornbill, Grey heron, Jungle fowl and Jungle Mynah are some among the 266 species of birds which are residents of this forest range.
Top of the line private hotels and forest lodges are available for the wild life enthusiast.
Established in 1984, the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary situated on either side of the Shendurney river is the only one in the Kollam district. The sanctuary covers a total area of 250 sq kms and is acclaimed the world over for its bio-diversity. The Parappar dam has been built across the Shendurney River and serves the purpose of irrigation in Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts. The lake covers a total area of 13.72 sq kms. The mean temperature during summer is 35 degree centigrade and during winters it around 16 degrees centigrade, with the annual rainfall is approximately 3200 mm. The terrain here is rugged with gentle to steep slopes ranging between 90m to 1550m. The tourist season is during the cooler months from October to March.
Getting There:
Nearest airport - Thiruvananthapuram (140 kms)
Nearest Rail Head - Kollam (70 kms)
By Road –Kollam (70 kms)
Visit Permits can be obtained from:
Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)
Thiruvananthapuram - 695014, Kerala
Phone - 91-471-62217
The Wildlife Warden
Thiruvananthapuram Wildlife Division
Vattoyoorkavu P.O, Thiruvananthapuram - 695013
Phone - 91-471-63762
The Assistant Wildlife Warden
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Thenmala P.O
Kollam – 691308.
The Silent Valley National Park , around 90 Sq.Kms in all was the subject of a state wide environmental agitation, to save the virgin evergreen forests from destruction. The Park attained international attention then and now forms part of a larger Nilgiri Biosphere reserve.
The park is home to more than 100 species of butterflies and birds. Other wildlife includes the Nilgiri Tahr, the rare and endangered Lion Tailed Macaque, leopards, tigers and elephants.
To get to the Park, one has to take the road from Palakkad, 80 kms away. Regular buses are available to Mukkali, 20 kms from the Park. Visitors are allowed only in a few places near the buffer zone. Facilities are rudimentary and limited. Recommended only for those willing to rough it out.
Thattekad is a bird sanctuary developed by the untiring efforts of India's birdman Dr Salim Ali. The sanctuary is near Munnar along the lower reaches of the Western Ghats, spread over 25.16 sq. km. The sanctuary attracts nature lovers especially bird watchers in droves. Tropical evergreen forests, tropical semi-evergreen forests and tropical deciduous forests make up this sanctuary. There are patches of grasslands too. Around 210 species of birds have been identified here so far.
Indian Roller, Cuckoo, Common snipe, Crow pheasant, Jungle Nightjar, Kite, Grey Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Woodpecker, Large pied wagtail, Baya sparrow, Grey jungle fowl, Indian hill myna, Robin, Jungle babbler and darter are found here. Crimson-throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sun bird, Shrike, Fairy blue bird, Grey-headed fishing eagle, Blackwinged kite, Night heron, Grey heron, Common Grey Hornbill and Malabar Hornbill are some of the rarer birds found. Best season to visit is from September to March. Accommodation is available at nearby town of Munnar.
This is also a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve, contiguous with Madumalai sanctuary in neighbouring Tamilnadu and Bandipur Sanctuary in Karnataka, covering an area of approximately 500 sq. kms. The sanctuary is also known as Muthanga, and is some 18 kms from the district headquarters at Sultan Bathery (Sultan’s Battery). Grasses and bamboo are found in abundance in these forests, among the moist deciduous forests. It is home to great herds of deer, elephants, and Gaur. Many types of monkeys are also seen, as well as those elusive animals, such as the Slender Loris.
To visit the sanctuary, permission has to be taken from the District Forest Officer’s office a Mananthody, around 50 kms from the district headquarters of Sultan Bathery (Ph 91-4968-540233). Thereafter, meet the Assistant Wildlife Preservation officer’s at Muthanga or Tholpatti sanctuary (30 kms from Mananthody) for permission to go inside either of these sanctuaries on jeeps hired from private operators. Taking along guides and wildlife spotters are recommended.
