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Eravikulam National Park
This sanc tuary
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
Rajamally. Further, travel is on foot, but the trekking is
really enjoyable.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Neyyar reservoir is ea sily
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.
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.
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.
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.
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