Description:-

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Set amidst the mountains of the Western Ghats at the border of Tamil Nadu, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 777 sq km out of which 360 sq km forms the core area. The park is one of the most renowned and famous sanctuaries in entire south India and can also be termed as the pride of Kerala.

The history of the park states that as early as in 1895, a dam by the name of the Mullaperiyar was constructed across the Periyar River giving birth to the
Periyar Lake. In 1934, the Maharaja of Travancore appointed S.C.H. Robinson as the first game warden and it was his recommendation that converted the area around the lake into a sanctuary by the name of Nellikkampetty sanctuary. In the year 1966, the sanctuary was consolidated with the forest department and the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was created. The sanctuary was finally declared a Tiger Reserve in the year 1978, a few years after Project Tiger was actually initiated. Also, in 1991, the park was brought under the Project Elephant.

This lake today covers an area of 26 sq km and is a major source of water for the resident animals and birds. Moreover, the beauty of the lake is also soothing for visitors. The park was earlier also known by the name of Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Attractions

Flora- Around three fourth of the sanctuary area is covered with evergreen and semi evergreen rain forests while a part of the remaining area is covered by damp leaves forest Eukalyptus plantation and grassland. The rest of the area is covered by Periyar River and Pamba River. The floral attractions of the park are approximately 2000 species of flowering plants, 171 grass species and 143 species of orchids. The tall trees of the forest rise upto a height of 130 to 140 feet!

Animals - Approximately 62 species of animals await to welcome visitors on their trip to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The most ferocious of these, undoubtedly is the Tiger. Many tourists visit Periyar just in order to get a glimpse of the Tiger, that according to estimates number between 35-40. However, there is still a larger number of tourists who come here because of the Indian Elephants. The huge mammal is found in pretty large number in Periyar Sanctuary - around 1000. Other animals that manage to make their presence felt quiet decently amidst these two are Leopards, Otters, Nilgiri Langurs, Common Langurs, Bonnet Macaques, Lion Tailed Macaque, Malabar Squirrel, Wild Boar, Sambar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Nilgiri Tahr, Dhole, porcupines, Gaur and Sloth Bears

Reptiles - The reptile population of the park is also commendable with around 45 species found. Out of these, a majority (30) of them are snakes. The rest of them comprise of 2 turtle species and 13 lizard species. Frequent sighting of King Cobras and Python, two extremely poisonous snakes is also an attraction for the visitors to the park.

Birds - The birds of the park include around 180 species. Prominent among these are Darters, Cormorants, Kingfishers, the great Malabar Hornbill and racket-tailed Drongoes. Tourists interested in spotting a large number of birds need to carry along their binoculars.

Place: Kumily, Kerala, in the southern part of India.
Major Attractions: Elephants, Tiger, Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur.
Area Covered: 777 sq-km.
Ideal Time to Visit the Park: From the months of October and June.
Nearest Attractions: Alleppey, Cradomom Hills, Kumily, Boat Cruises.
Some Major Accesses: Kumily (4 km), Madurai (140 km), Cochin or Kochi (200 km), Kottayam (114 km), Ernakulam.

General Information on Periyar Sanctuary

Longitude: 76°57~ and 77°25~ E
Latitude:9°16~ and 9°36~ N
Altitude:100m. to 2016 m. above msl.
Rainfall: 2500 mm.
Temperature:Minimum: 15°C, Maximum: 31°C
Season(Periyar National Park)

Monsoon: Southwest and Northeast monsoon with maximum rainfall in July and minimum in January.
Summer: April-May
Winter: December-January
Access (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary):

Climate:The temperatures vary depending upon the altitude and it ranges between 15° Celsius in December and January and 31° Celsius in April and May. The annual amount of precipitation lies between 2000 and 3000 mm. About two thirds of the precipitation occurs during the southwest monsoon between June to September. A smaller amount of precipitation occurs during the northeast monsoon between October and December.

General Info: After heavy rains, chances of good wildlife sightings are very slim as the animals only come to the lake, when water sources inside the forest have dried up
How to Reach Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

By Air: Kochi (Cochin) at 200-kms or Madurai in Tamil Nadu at140-kms is the nearest airports from Periyar.

By Rail: Kottayam at 114-kms is the nearest railhead from Periyar.

By Road:Kumily, the nearest town from Periyar is well served by both state and private buses from Kottayam, Ernakulam and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.