Kerala
has numerous national parks and Sanctuaries.The evergreen rain forests
of Kerala are home to a large number of large and small sports. Internationally
popular among wildlife enthusiasts and photographers much of the forest
lands in Kerala have been turned into reserve forests and wildlife
sanctuaries for the conservation of the wildlife in these areas. These
sanctuaries and national parks are thronged by elephants, tigers, leopards,
jaguars, deer, monkeys, Malabar squirrels, hornbills,Nilgiri Tahr,
lion-tailed macaque,civet cats and many more which make them excellent
wildlife vacation sites.Besdides the wild animals one can also see
different varieties of birds like woodpeckers, Malabar cormorants,
darters, hornbills, kingfishers, plovers, and brahminy. While visiting
Kerala one is likely to spot many species of butterflies and moths,
especially along backwaters of Kerala
Wildlife santuary Befriend an elephant, Discover the elephant's point of view. Feast your eyes on the most exotic of wildlife. And realize that there's much more to life when a deer stops to look at you, when a monkey decides to renew acquaintance, when a blue-winged parakeet sings for you.
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.Covering
an area of 777 sq. km. of lush green tropical forests, it is the natural
habitat of elephant, bison, spotted deer, sambar, bear etc. Colourful
variety of birds like the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Grey jungle fowl and
the Jungle Myna are seen.
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. Vehicular
traffic is allowed upto Mukkali from Mannarghat. From Mukkali one has
to cover at least 24 km on foot to reach the source of river Kuntipuzha,
which flows through the valley. Nearest railhead is Palghat, 75 km
away. Admission to this part is restricted. Prior permission is required
to visit the part. For further detail contact: The Divisional Forest
Officer, Palghat.
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.Besides,
different species of snakes including cobra, viper, kraits and numerous
non-poisonous ones are also found here. Among the birds, mynah, jungle
fowl, black bulbul, laughing thrush, peafowl, woodpecker, kingfisher
etc. are seen in abundance. This wildlife sanctuary also houses a
number of birds such as woodpeckers, black bulbuls, jungle fowls,
laughing thrushes, mynas, kingfishers and pea fowls. Like any other
wildlife sanctuary in Kerala this wildlife park also presents a perfect
spot for a wonderful weekend getaway. 
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, Collocalia unicolor Indian Swiftlet, Spizaetus
cirrhatus Changeable Hawk-Eagle 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. Also
called The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary was described
by Dr. Ali as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India comparable
only with eastern Himalayas. The bird sanctuary is rich in teak and
mahogany plantation too.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.
Located
at the Devikulam taluk of the Idukki district, Chinnar received the
status of a sanctuary in 1984. Stretching over an area of 90 sq. km
Chinnar is home to the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel. 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.
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.Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary houses various species
of evergreen trees like Vellapine (Vateria indica), Mesua ferrea,
Mechilus macrantha, Calophyllum elatum, Cullenia rosayroona, Magnifera
indica, Toona cillata, Myristica Species, Euphorbia Longana, Strobilanthes.
The common trees in the semi evergreen areas are Cinnamomum Zeylanicum,
Hopea parviflora, Largestroemia lanceolata, Xyliaxylocarpa, Mallotus,
Philippinensis. 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.
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. It
lies in the catchment areas of Peechi and Vazhani dams . Peechi, the
headquarters of the sanctuary is 15 km by road from Trissur. It is
spread over an area of 125sq km and is around 20 km east of Thrissur.
At the Peechi Vazhani wildlife sanctuary, there are numerous rare medicinal
plants and herbs, teak, rosewood and many more
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.
Located
around the Vembanad Lake near the Backwaters, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
is a bird watcher's paradise. Migratory birds from as far as Siberia
and also the Himalayas flock here. The Siberian stork, teal, egret,
heron and darter are commonly seen.
This
sanctuary was set up specially for the preservation of Nilgiri Tahr,
one of the seriously endangered animals.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 shelters 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 Rajamalai. Further, travel is on foot,
but the trekking is really enjoyable. The Eravikulam sanctuary is divided
into three areas; the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area.
Only the tourism area is allowed for visitors/tourists. During the
Monsoon season, visitors are not allowed in the Eravikulam National
Park.
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