Major wildlife sanctuaries and reserves of Kerala

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary: Kerala

Aaralam Wildlife Sanctuary 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.Elephants, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Mouse Deer, Jungle Cats and various kinds of Squirrels are found in this sanctuary. It is also rich in avifauna and reptiles.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary: Kerala

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is 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. The main attractions of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary are Elephants, Gaurs, Panthers, Spotted Deer, Sambhars, Grizzled Giant Squirrels, Hanuman Langurs, Peacocks, Star Tortoises and Travancore evening browns.

Eravikulam National Park : Kerala

A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills. Anamudi, the highest peak (2695 m) south of the 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, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, etc.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary: Kerala

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary The sanctuary is situated just above the arch dam. An area of 77 sq. km. of forestland in between the Periyar and Cheruthoni rivers form an excellent habitat for wildlife. The lake on the three sides of the sanctuary offers a panoramic view to the tourists. The Idukki reservoir formed by three dams - namely the Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu Dams 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.

Fauna : The sanctuary has a large variety of flora and fauna. Among the mammals, Elephants, Bison, Sambhar, Deer, Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats, Tiger, Wild Boar etc reptiles such as Cobra, Viper, Krait and a large number of non- poisonous snakes can be seen. Jungle Fowl, Myna, Laughing Thrush, Black Bulbul, Peafowl, Woodpecker, Kingfisher etc also inhabit the place in large numbers.

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary : Kerala

Kadalundi bird sanctuary, 19 kms from Kozhikode 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, 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.

Fauna: The sanctuary is a haven for Migratory Birds. Terns, Gulls, Herons, Sandpipers, Whimbrels, and other migratory birds flock the place from the month of November and return only by the end of April.The park is also famous for wide variety of Fish, Mussels and Crabs.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary : Kerala

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, situated on the banks of the Vembanand Lake 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 main attractions are local birds like the water fowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian cranes.Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary : Kerala

The Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends 9.06 sq. km. The vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands. Agasthyakoodam of 1890 meters elevation is in this sanctuary. Elephants, gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr, jungle cat, wild boar, Nilgiri Langur etc. are seen. A crocodile breeding center, deer farm and lion safari park are the main attractions near the dam site.

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary : Kerala

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary Parambikulam has one of the largest population of gaur (bison). The rich fauna includes Bonnet Macaques, Tigers, Spectacled Cobras, Kraits, Vipers, Turtles, Darters, Little Cormorants and Black Eagles. The place is ideal for boating and trekking. Sambar, spotted deer, jungle cat, lion-tailed macaque, common otter, sloth bear etc. are the other inhabitants. There are also a few tigers and leopards.

Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary : Kerala

The Peechi-Vazhani Sanctuary comprising of the dense, moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests is situated in the catchment area of the Peechi and Vazhani dams. The place is congenial for boating and trekking. The natural habitat at Peechi-Vazhani Sanctuary is frequented by Tigers, Leopards and Wild Dogs, besides the Sambar and the Spotted and Barking deer. There are more than 50 species of orchids and medicinal plants.

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary : Kerala

Peppara is accessible from Vithurai on Thiruvananthapuram - Ponmudi road. 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. This sanctuary with its rich fauna and birds is emerging as a big attraction to wildlife enthusiasts. The sanctuary is home to Elephants, Sambhar, Lion-tailed Macaques, Leopards, and assorted birds. Gaur, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Tiger and the Nilgiri Langur are also among the main inhabitants of the park.

Periyar / Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary : Kerala

Between Trivandrum and Munnar is Thekkady, the home of one of India's oldest and best-known wildlife sancturies. The former princely state of Travancore began to develop the area as a sanctuary in 1934, using the artificial lake that had been formed by flooding in 1895 as its center. By 1950 the sanctuary had reached its present size of 780 square kilometers and was named the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The vast calmness of the lake and the stark, skeletal remains of the trees that protrude from its waters give the area a primeval look. The mists that swirl ethereally over the water in the early morning heighten this impression.

Fauna: The wildlife remains largely undisturbed by visitors who must observe it from special boats which glide across the surface of the lake. although the stars of the sanctuary are the families of wild elephants that often gather near the water's edge, other inhabitants include bears, sambhar, bison and spotted deer, as well as many screeching monkeys. The sanctuary was one of the first to come under the centeral goverment's successful Project Tiger. The bird life is rich and varied and Periyar attracts dedicated bird- watching enthusiasts.

Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary : Kerala

Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary, located 15 kms from Munnar is the natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr. Half the world population of the rare mountain goat is concentrated in this region.The animal is fast becoming extinct. The sanctuary is a part of the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. The Nilgiri Tahrs are now reduced to small herds found in Eravikulam-Rajamala region. The total number of Nilgiri Tahrs in Rajamala is estimated at 1317.

Shendurni Wildlife Sanctuary : Kerala

Shendurni Wildlife Sanctuary located 70 kms from Kollam, on the Kollam-Shencotta Road, is a green valley of splendid forests, situated on the banks of the Shendurny River. Steep and rugged peaks surround the sanctuary, which is dotted by several breathtaking ravines. On the northern side of the sanctuary is Palaruvi, a beautiful picnic spot. In the tropical evergreen and mixed deciduous forests here are found a variety of animals. The park is rich in flora and fauna and is a haven to a variety of animals such as Elephants, Gaurs, Barking Deers, Cobra, Viper, Python and the Indian Porcupine.

Silent Valley National Park : Kerala

This silent valley is only vestige of a near virgin forest in the whole of the Western Ghats. The Park is the house to the elephants, tigers, wild dog, flying squirrel and lioned tailed macaque. The river Kuntipuzha flows through the valley and make it a beautiful place to see. The Silent Valley has over 110 plant species of medicinal value, and seven new plant species have been discovered here.

Fauna : The park has a huge variety of wildlife, with over a 100 species of Butterflies and 400 species of Moths and other animals like the Ceylon Frog Moth, Great Indian Hornbill, the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush and the Lion-Tailed Macaque.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary : Kerala

In the dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forests and grassland patches is located the Thatekkad Bird Sanctuary. Home to a microcosm of India's bird population with about 500 winged species, the sanctuary was designed by Dr. Salim Ali, the renowned ornithologist. This bird sanctuary is spread over an area of 25 sq.km. This sanctuary is in between the parts of river Periyar. This bird sanctuary is the house to the both resting indigenous birds and water birds. The indigenous birds found mostly there are Malabar Grey hornbill, Grey jungle fowl, heron, egret, jungle myna, wood pecker, rose winged and blue winged parakeet. Birds which, rarely seen there are like Ceylon frog-mouth, rose billed roller etc.

Fauna: Houses some 200 variety of birds including gray jungle fowl, Falcons, Hornbill, Blackbird etc. Some reptiles and animals are also seen in this area. The important species of birds here are Indian rollers, Cuckoos, Common Snipes, Pheasants, Jungle Nightjars, Kites, Grey Drongos, Malabar Tro, Woodpeckers, Large Pied Wagtails, Baya Sparrows, Grey Jungle Fowls, Hill Mynas, Robins, Jungle Babblers, Sundries and Darters. Rare birds such as Ceylon Frog-mouth, Rose Billed roller, Crimson-throated Barbers, Bee-eaters, Shrikes, Fairy Blue Grey-headed Fishing Eagles, Black Winged Kites, Nightherons, Grey Hoi and Malabar Hornbills can also be seen.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary : Kerala

Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipore of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamilnadu. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, 15 kms from Calicut 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.

Fauna: Major fauna species here include the tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, jackal, elephant, and Indian fox. Other wildlife that have made this park their habitat are the gaur, sambar, spotted dear, Indian muntjac, wild boar, and giant squirrel.