Sanctuaries of Kerala
Periyar wild life Sanctuary (Thekkady)
The sanctuary extends over an area of 777 sq. km. and forms part of the high ranges of the western ghats. This is one of the best sanctuaries in India for watching and photographing elephants at close quarters. The animals usually found here are Elephant, Tiger, Bison, Spotted Deer, Gaur, etc. The sanctuary is open throughout the year, but the best season is from September to May. Entry Time : 6 am. to 6 p.m
Transport : The sanctuary is connected only by road. The nearest airports are at Madurai (134 Km) and Cochin (190 Km). The nearest rail head is at Kottayam (114 Km). Thekkady is linked by road with some of the major cities in Kerala and Tamilnadu. There are direct bus services from Cochin, Kottayam, Trivandrum and Madurai. The main bus stand is at Kumily (3 Km. from Thekkady Sanctuary) from where there are buses to various places.
Tourist Office : The tourist office of the Govt. of Kerala is at Kumali (Ph : 0486 - 322620).
Boating : The Forest department (Ph: 0486-322028) and the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation conduct boat cruises in the artificial lake, spread over an area of 25 Sq. Km. This is a unique experience to watch captivating assortment of fauna at close quarters.
The Forest department conducts four trips daily. The duration of the cruise is 2 hrs. Tickets are issued from the information centre of the Forest department atThekkady.
The Forest department and KTDC rent out boat for cruises in the lake. It is better to make advance reservation for the above boats through the various KTDC offices in Trivandrum, Cochin or by contacting the Manager, KTDC, Arnya Nivas, Thekkady. (Tel: 322023)
Boat Cruise Timings
KTDC : 07:00, 09:30, 11.30, 14:00, 16:00. Fare Rs. 50 to 90.
Boat Capacity
1) 40 pax2) 2 boats of 15 pax 3) 12 pax
Forest Department : 09:30, 11.30, 14:00, 16:00. Fare Rs. 25
Hire charges for boat : Rs. 1700 for 50 persons.
Conducted tours : KTDC has tours by coach to Periyar Wild life Sanctuary from Trivandrum.
Trekking : Guided trekking will be arranged by the Forest department. Charge Rs. 250 for 5 persons for 3 hours. For details contact the Forest Information Counter, Thekkady.
Elephant ride : The Forest department provides elephant ride in the sanctuary from 11am to 5 pm. Fare is rs. 30 for 2 persons for 30 minutes ride.
Tiger Trail : The Forest department organises 3 days Tiger Trail which includes trekking and camping inside the forest. Tariff 175$ per person. For reservation: Tour India, Trivandrum Ph: 0471 - 331507.
Clock Room
The Forest department has clockroom facilities at the Forest Information Counter at Thekkady.
Watch towers : There are two watch towers inside the forest and the charge is Rs. 100 per day for 2 persons. The reservation can be made at the Forest Information Center, Thekkady (Ph : 0486-322028)
Accommodation
The Forest department has the following Rest Houses inside the forest.
Forest Lodge at Manakavala is 8 kms and Edapalayam is 5 kms away from Thekkady. Tariff Rs. 300 for 2 persons.
These rest houses can be reached only by boat (1½ hrs) and the reservation authority is the Chief Conservator, Forest Wild Life, Trivandrum / Wild Life Preservation Officer, Thekkady (Ph : 322027).
The PWD has an Inspection Bungalow here. The reservation authority is Asst. Executive Engineer (Buildings). Peerumedu.
Mangala Devi Temple : This temple is 13 Km. away from Thekkady and is accessible only by jeep. The temple is centuries old and built in the Pandyan style of architecture.
Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary
It is one of the best sanctuaries in Kerala sprawling over an area of about 285 Sq. Km as a continuation of the western ghats with diverse variety of flora and fauna. It is a part of the neighbouring wild life sanctuary Anamalai in Tamilnadu. The distance between Top Slip (The headquarters of Anamalai sanctuary) and Thunakadavu (The headquarters of Parambikulam sanctuary) is 24 Km. The sanctuary is situated 220 Km. away from Cochin and 48 Km. away from Pollachi. The best season to visit the sanctuary is September to May. Elephant, Bison, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sloth-bear, Wild boar, Nilgiri Langur, Lion tailed monkey, Sambur, Chital and a host of birds are the main attractions of the sanctuary. The Cannimare teak wood tree, the biggest in Asia, stands about 5 Km. away from Thunakadavu.
Transport
The sanctuary is connected only by road and there are buses from Pollachi (40 Km. from Coimbatore and 49 Km from Palghat) to Parambikulam, a 2 1/2 hour trip. There are buses from Pollachi to Parimbikulam at 6.05 am. and 3.20 pm. There is only one bus at 11.30 am from Pollachi to Topslip via Parambikulam. The buses return to Pollachi at 8.40 am. and 5.45 pm. respectively. Visitors coming from southern parts of Kerala can reach Parambikulam (via Trichur, Nenmara, Kollangodu) without entering Palghat.
The nearest airport is at Coimbatore and the nearest railway stations are at Coimbatore (88 Km) and Palghat (97 Km). There is a railway station at Pollachi (metre gauge) connecting Coimbatore and Palghat.
Entry time : Vehicles can enter the sanctuary between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. The vehicles entering the sanctuary will not be allowed to go out after 6.30 p.m. Two-wheelers are not allowed in the sanctuary.
Accommodation : The main accommodation centres are at Thunakkadavu, headquarters of the sanctuary (Ph : 04253-877223). Forest department has an Inspection Bunglow (Rs. 300-850) and a Tree Top Hut (Rs. 250) here. The Reservation authority is the Range Officer, Thunakadavu ( Ph: 04253-877201). At Parambikulam there is a PWD Rest House and an Inspection Bunglow (Ph: 04253-877201) of Tamil Nadu Government. The reservation authority is the Junior Engineer, Tamilnadu PWD, Parambikulam.
More accommodation facility is available at Topslip, headquarters of Anamala Sanctuary (Please refer Anamala Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu section)
Watch Tower : There are two watch towers in the sanctuary. One is at Anappadi, 8 Km. from Thunakadavu and the other is at Zungam, 5 Km. from Thunakadavu.
Trekking : Trekking and hill climbing is possible at the sanctuary with the permission of the Wild life Warden, Thunakadavu.
Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary (Wynad)
This sanctuary is situated about 15 Km. away from Sulthan Battery. This is the second largest in the state and covers an area of 344 Sq. Km. It is adjacent to the Mudumalai wild life sanctuary in Tamilnadu and Bandipur wild life sanctuary in Karnataka.
Elephant, Spotted Deer, Guar, Sambur and Sloth Beer are the main attractions. The sanctuary is also rich in birds and reptiles. The best season is from October to May.
Accommodation is available at Mananthavady (48 Km) and Sultan battery. The nearest railhead is Calicut, 111 Km. away from the sanctuary.
Silent Valley Wild Life Sanctuary
The sanctuary is situated 40 Km. away from Mannarghat in Palghat District. It extends to an area of 90 Sq. Km. Silent Valley contains India's last substantial stretch of tropical ever green forests. Elephant, Tiger, Wild boar, Flying Squirrel and Lion-tailed Macaque can be seen here.
Transport : From Palghat there are frequent buses to Mannarghat (40 Km). Mannarghat is connected to Mukkali (19 Km) by bus. Silent Valley is 18 Km. away from Mukkalli which can be reached by Jeep or Truck.
Accommodation : At Mannarghat there is a PWD Rest House and the reservation authority is the District Collector, Palghat.
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
This sanctuary, located 20 Km. away from Kothaman-galam on the Cochin-Munnar road, is the most important bird sanctuaries in Kerala. The most notable of the indigenous birds are Malabar grey-horn-bill, wood pecker, rose winged and blue winged paracket etc. Rare birds like Ceylon frog-moth, Rose billed roller etc. are also seen here. A boat cruise from Boothathanketu to Thattekad is an unforgettable experience through the evergreen forests nestling migratory and indigenous birds. The best time for a visit is in morning from 5 to 6. There is an Inspection Bungalow at Boothathan-kettu and there are midrange hotels at Kothamangalam. Accommodation at Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is available at Hornbill Bunglow ( Ph: 0484-588302). The tariff is Rs. 300 for double room and Rs.60 per person for dormitory.
Eravikulam National Park
This park with an area of 97 sq.km lies at the crest of the Anamalai range in Munnar, 130 Km. away from Cochin. This can be reached only by trekking from Rajamala, 17 Km. from Munnar and is famous for Nilgiri tahr, one of the most seriously endagered species. Elephant, Sambur, Gaur, Loin tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur etc. can also be seen here.
Accommodation facilities are available at Munnar. Munnar is also connected with Kottayam (148 Km) and Thekkady (100 Km) and Cochin (132 km) by road.
Aralam Wild Life Sanctuary
This sanctuary is easily accessible from Tellicherry (35 Km) in Cannanore district. It extends to an area of 55 Sq. Km. and elephant, Sloth Bear, Sambur, Mouse-Bear, etc. are found here. It is also rich in avifauna and reptiles. Accommodation is availabe at Iritty, near the sanctuary.
Peechi-Vazhani Wild Life Sanctuary
It lies in the catchment areas of Peechi and Vazhani dams in Trichur district. It covers an area of 125 Sq. Km. and the headquarters of the sanctuary is at Peechi, 15 Km. away. There are direct buses from Trichur to Peechi. Numerous ground birds are found in the sanctuary. Pea fowl and Jungle fowl are very common.
Chimmani Wild Life Sanctuary
This sanctuary extending over an area of 10 Sq. Km. is adjacent to Peechi - Vazhani sanctuary. It is accessible from Amballoor on the Ernakulam - Trichur Road. The nearest railway station and bus station are at Trichur (35 Km.)
Elephant, Sambur, Spotted Deer, Gaur, Malabar Squirrel, Sloth Bear etc. are some of the animals found here.
Shenduruny Wild Life Sanctuary
This sanctuary is situated 66 Km. away from Quilon on the Quilon - Shencotta line. It covers an area of 100 Sq. Km and the animals found here are Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Bear and Lion Tailed Macaque. This sanctuary is also accessible from Trivandrum (70 Km. away). The nearest railway station and bus station are at Thenmala.
Idukki Wild Life Sanctuary
This sanctuary is situated 40 Km. away from Thodupuzha in the Idukki district. It covers an area of 70 Sq. Km. and lies above the Idukki Arch Dam. It is rich in flora and fauna. Elephants and sambur are seen here. Idukki is accessible from Cochin, Kottayam and Thekkady. Accommodation is available at Cheruthony.
Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary
This sanctuary is situated 70 Km. away from Munnar near Marayur on the Munnar-Udumalpet route. It extends to an area of 90 Sq. Km. The forest is of mixed deciduous type with occasional shrub and thorny types. Due to the proximity of Eravikulam National Park and Anamalai wild life sanctuary in Tamilnadu, this sanctuary is rich in wild life. There are frequent buses from Munnar to Marayur. Accommodation is availabe at Marayur.(Please refer Munnar Section).
Peppara Wild Life Sanctuary
This sanctuary is situated near Vithura, 50 Km. away from Trivandrum on Trivandrum - Ponmudi road. It extends to an area of 53 Sq. Km. This is dotted with large hills and numerous hillocks with evergreen and semi evergreen forest and eucalyptus plantations. Elephant, Sambur, Leopard and Lion tailed Macaque are commonly seen here.
Neyyar Wild Life Sanctuary
The sanctuary is situated 32 Km. away from Trivandrum city. The main scenic attraction of the sanctuary is the Neyyar Reservoir. There is a wide range of herbivores, carnivores and omnivores in the sanctuary. The animals found here are Elephants, Gaur, Sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr etc.
There is an Inspection Bungalow of the Forest Department and a dormitory of the Irrigation Department. There are buses to Neyyar from Trivandrum. Frequent buses are available from Kattakkada (20 Km. away from Trivandrum) to Neyyar.
Accommodation
KTDC Agasthya House, Neyyar Dam 0471- 272160
Non A/c DoubleRs. 350
DormitoryRs. 600 for 10 persons.
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