Home to rare species of flaura and fauna, the panorama of sights and sounds in Kerala is simply breath taking. So pack your bags and get ready for some wild adventure.
Aaralam Wildlife Sanctuary
This is a tranquil little sanctuary on the slopes of the Western Ghats. The highest peak of Katti Betta, covered with tropical and semi- evergreen forests rises to a majestic height of 1145 m above sea level. A variety of flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats is found here. Herds of deer, elephants, boar and bison are quite common. Leopards, Jungle Cats and various types of Squirrels have also been sighted.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
A unique thorny scrub forest with xerophyte species, Chinnar is the habitat of the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India. Located in the rainshadow area of the Western Ghats, unlike other sanctuaries, Chinnar has only 48 rainy days in a year. Dry deciduous forests, high sholas and wet grasslands are also found here. As one travels from Karimuthi to Chinnar Elephants, Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Hanuman monkey and even Peacocks can be seen on either sides of the road. Declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1984, it is spread over an area of 90,422 sq. kms. The undulated terrain with rocky patches adds to the scenic splendour of the sanctuary.
Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary was set up for the preservation of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. The sanctuary stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq. kms of unblemished natural splendour. Anamudi, the highest peak south of Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas Moth, largest of its kind in the world, is a unique possession of the park. The sanctuary was declared as a National Park in 1978. The park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world.
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuatry is located at a distance of 40 kms from Thodupuzha. It extends over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district spreading over 77sq. kms, at 450 - 748m above sea level. The Idukki reservoir formed by three dams-Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu-extends to 33 sq. km. A picturesque lake, a majestic arch dam across two hills and roaming herds of elephants and gaur are sights that lure you to this enchanting canopy of tropical semi-evergreen and deciduous forests. The fauna also includes Langur, Leopard and Wild Boar.
Kadalundi Bird sanctuary
19 kms from Kozhikode, the santuary is home to more than a hundred varieties of native birds and over 60 species of migratory birds flock here in large numbers. The sanctuary is also known for a wide variety of Fish, Mussels and Crabs. The sanctuary, which is spread over a cluster of islands, covers an area of 3 kms in a scenic area surrounded by hillocks. A hillock, which is 200 m above sea level, provides a splendid view of the river mouth and the sea.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Situated on the banks of the Vembanand Lake, this place is known for its varied avian population. Local varieties such as waterfowls, cuckoos and owls, as well as the migratory Siberian Cranes can be viewed here. The Kumarakom Tourist Complex, sprawling over 101 acres of enchanting wooded land and lake, was built around the 50-year-old 'Baker's Mansion', which was earlier a small hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). Now the complex has been renovated in grand style by the Taj Kerala Resorts Ltd. Boats are available on hire for a a cruise around the sanctuary. Neyyar sanctuary is spread over the Southeast corner of the Western Ghats, and covers a total area of 128 sq kms.
The Neyyar Reservoir
Easily navigable, the reservoir extends 9.06 sq. km. The vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands. The Agasthyarkoodam hill, 1890 metres high, lies in the premises of the sanctuary. Declared as a sanctuary in 1958, it is the drainage basin for the Neyyar River and its tributaries - Mullayar and Kallar.
Periyar 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 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. Wild Elephant herds can ofteen be spotted coming to the lake to frolic in the water. Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be seen here. The other attractions of the sanctuary include Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers, Leopards, Malabar Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked Mongooses, etc. There are over 260 species of birds here, including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged Parakeets, White bellied Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers. 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 Ghats, the Periyar sanctuary is located 137 km from Madurai.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
15 kms from Calicut, the sanctuary is bisected by a tract of cultivated land into two distinct parts. One falls in the Kozhikode District and the other in the Kannur District. Wayanad literally means the 'land of swamps'. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the nilgiri biosphere reserve, which has been established with the chief objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region. The sanctuary has excellent moist deciduous teak forests and marshes dominated by bamboo and other grasses. These forests are also said to be amongst the most extensively forested belts in the Indian Peninsula.
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