WILDLIFE
Kerala Wildlife,Trekking & Camping in Kerala,Bird Sancturies in Kerala

A land painted in a zillion shade of green. Housing some of the world’s unique natural environments. Sheltering some of the best and rarest of the animal world. Following some of the best codes of ethics. And offering some of the world’s most en riching experiences.Kerala.Your kind of games.

Wildlife Sanctuaries of Kerala

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thiruvananthapuram District)
The Sanctuary stretched from Neyyatinkara taluk to the Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil nadu.It is the drainage basin of the Neyyar River and its tributaries - Mullayar and Kallar - Which originate in Agasthyarkoodam, the second highest peak in Kerala (1868 M).The Sanctuary was established in 1958.

Access: Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram (32 KM).Nearest railhead: Thiruvananthapuram, connected with Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kashmir.Motrable road connecting Thiruvananthapuram city.

Tourist attractions: Crocodile farm, lion safari park, boat ride on the reservoir, trekking, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation operates regular trips to Neyyar.


Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary (Thiruvananthapuram District)
The catchments area of the Peppara Dam constructed across the Karamana River, was declared a Sanctuary in 1983.There are 13 tribal settlements in the Sanctuary.11 of them in the Athirumala section and 2 in the Thodayar section.

Access: The Sanctuary is assessable from Vithura on the Thiruvananthapuram - Ponmudi Road. Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram (55 KM). Nearest railhead: Thiruvananthapuram, connected with Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kashmir.Motrable road connecting Thiruvananthapuram city.

Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary (Kollam District)
The Shenduruny forest was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984.The name Shenduruny comes from an endemic species of tree called Chenkuruny,maily confined to this region. The artificial lake formed by the Parappar Dam built across the Shenduruny and Kulathupuzha rivers occupies the central region of the Sanctuary.

Access: Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram (72 KM). Nearest railhead: Thenmala, connected with Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kashmir.Motrable road connected with Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram city.

Tourist attractions: Recent archaeological studies have revealed that Shenduruny was cradle of one of the oldest river valley civilization in India - one older than Indus Valley (4400 - 3700 BC), have been excavated from a large cave at the northwestern part of the Shenduruny River. The cave which is large enough to hold 20 people at a time has paintings similar to the Mesolithic paintings found in the caves of central India.

Periyar Tiger Reserve (Idukki District)
This is one of the most prestigious regions on the high ranges of the Western Ghats.One of the world’s most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries; the Periyar Reserve is noted for its geomorphology, diverse wildlife and beautiful landscape. The drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles. The sanctuary declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978 under the Project Tiger Scheme, attracts travelers from all over the world. This is the only sanctuary in India where the wild elephant can be observe and photographed at close quarters.

Access: The entry point to the Reserve is Thekkady, which is accessible by good roads from the airports of Madurai (145 km), Kochi (190 Km) and Thiruvananthapuram (272 km).The nearest railhead is Kottayam (114 km).The nearest town is Kumily (4 Km).


Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary (Idukki District)
Spread over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluk of Idukki district, the Sanctuary was formed in 1976.The Idukki arch dam, the first major hydroelectric project in Kerala, is situated here. The 33 sq.km scenic lake around the Sanctuary -the Idukki reservoir - is formed by the three dams Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu.

Access: 40 km from Thodupuzha town.

Tourist attractions: Boating, forest visit and treks.


Eravikulam National Park (Idukki District)
Established in 1975 to protect the Nilgiri Tahr, the Eravikulam Sanctuary was declared a National Park in 1978 considering its ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological and zoological significance. The Park is breathtaking beautiful and comparable to the Alpine ranges. This land of the Neelakurinji is 7 km from the Rajamalai hills.

Access: Kochi (135 km) and Kottayam (148 Km by road. Nearest airport: Kochi; Nearest railhead: Aluva (115 km from Munnar).

Nearby trekking trails: Palkulamedu, Parakulam, Kulamavu, Anaward, Painavu.This is also a desination for adventure tourism


Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (Idukki District)
Located in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats, the sanctuary occupies the forests region on either side of the Marayoor - Udumalpet road. This is the second habitat of the endangered giant grizzled squirrel of India. The location of the sanctuary offers the unique advantage of watching its fascinating wildlife at close quarters from the road without venturing deep into the jungle. The Marayoor sandal forest and the beautiful Thoovanam waterfalls are located here.

Access: Nearest airport: Coimbatore and Koch. Nearest railway station: Pollachi (60 km) and Aluva (200 km).

Trekking trails: Palapetty - Champakad, Okarimutty - Inchapetty, Karimutty - Alampetty.

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary (Ernakulam District)
The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, constituted in 1983, occupies the catchments area of the Bhoothathankettu Dam. The only one of its kind in Kerala, this Sanctuary was designed by Dr.Salim Ali, the renowned ornithologist. He is reported to have identifies 167 bird species and his student - Dr.Sugathan, 207.In addition; the Bombay Natural History Society has identified 253 species here. The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary attracts nature lovers from all over the world.

Access: Nearest railway station: Aluva (48 km).Nearest airport: Kochi (71 Km).


Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary (Thrissur District)
The Sanctuary lies in the Western valley of Nelliampathy in the Mukundapuram taluk of Thrissur district. Part of it is adjacent to the Peechi - Vazhani Sanctuary and the rest to the Parambikulam Sanctuary. An artificial lake has been formed here by the dam across the Chimmini River. The Sanctuary, which was established in 1984, occupies the watershed areas of the Kumumali and Mupliyam rivers and is enriched by hills.

Access: Amballoor 912 km) on the Kochi - Thrissur road. Nearest bus and rail stations are at Thrissur 935 km).Nearest airport: Kochi (50 km).

Trekking trails: Many paths up the rocks and into the forests of the Sanctuary.

Peechi - Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary ( Thrissur District)
Established in 1958, this sanctuary is about 20 km east of Thrissur, in the catchments area of the Peechi and Vazhani dams with headquarters at Peechi, 15 km away. The Sanctuary is part of the Palappilli - Nelliampathy forests and forms the northern boundary of the Chimmini Sanctuary.

Access: There are direct buses from Thrissur to Peechi.Nearest railway station: Thrissur.Nearest airport: Kochi (98 km).

Tourist attractions: Boating on the lakes.

Silent Valley National Park (Palakkad District)
The Silent Valley National Park is perhaps the closet to a virgin forest in the entire Western Ghats.It is home to India’s last substantial stretch of tropical evergreen rain forest, and a large number of wild animals, thanks to its difficult terrain and remoteness. The Silent Valley was so called by the group of British men who ventured into the forest over a century ago and found that there were no cycads there.However, the park is seldom silent and the song of the birds and the dense forests give it an inexplicably unique character. Unlike other sanctuaries, viewing wildlife here is difficult because of dense vegetation.
Program 1:

The Lion Tailed Macaque (LTM) Trail (One day)

This is a day trek to Silent Valley National Park. Your trek in the rain forest starts after a Jeep Safari through coffee plantations. This is excellent birding environs. During the trek our effort will be to spot the elusive LTM. If you miss them don't be disappointed, the birdlife, butterflies, or­chids, ferns and the air will be enough compensation. Our Naturalist and guides from the local community will assist you during the trek.

Tariff : INR 3500/- or US $ 75 per Pax (Minimum 2 and Maximum 6 Pax)

Program 2:

The Attappadi Experience. (1 Night 2 Days)

Attappadi, just next door to Silent Valley National Park, is a valley where the largest population of indigenous communities lives in Kerala. Stay in a Jungle lodge next to a tribal village. Experi­ence their heritage and culture. Go for a guided walk through a tribal village. An evening can be spend around a fire with them singing accompanied by traditional music instruments. Listen to local folklore. Treks can also be arranged through forests and countryside. The food will be tradi­tional vegetarian unless you specify otherwise.
Tariff : INR 2500/- or US $ 55 per Pax (Minimum 2 and Maximum 4 Pax)
Access: Vehicular transport is allowed only up to Mukkali, nearly 24 km from the park. The rest of the way has to be covered on foot up to the source of the river Kunthipuzha which flows through the valley before merging into the Bharathapuzha (River Nila, the longest in Kerala and believed to be the life of force of the State).

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Tucked away in the valley between the Anamala ranges of Tamil Nadu and Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala on the majestic Western Ghats is the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. Three dams have been built here by the Tamil Nadu Government under the Parambikulam - Aliyar Project. The reservoir harbours several varieties of aquatic fauna.

Access: Nearest bus stations: Pollachi (60 km), Parambikulam.Nearest railway station: Pollachi.Nearest airport: Coimbatore (100 km).

Tourist attractions: Boating on Parambikulam reservoir, sanctuary tour with guides.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Wayanad District)
Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu.Rich in biodiversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which was established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region. The management of the sanctuary lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration to the general life - style of the tribal and other who live on the fringes of the forests. These forests also have a historical importance as it was from here that Pazhassi Raja fought the British.

Pookottu Lake,a fresh water lake situated 15 km away from Kalpetta,nestled among wooded hills is the only one of its kind in Kerala.The lake resort in Vythiri is the most soughtafter tourist spot of Wayanad.Thamarasserry churam is the ghat road that connects Kozhikode and Wayanad districts.Travelling through the 14 km ghat section,which has nine hairpin bends amist a number of hills and thick forest,is an enjoyable experience.The Kuruva Island,950 acres of evergreen forest on the tributaries of east flowing river Kabani,is and ideal picnic spot.Situated 15 km from Mananthavady,it is home to rare species of birds,herbs and orchids.

Access: Good roads and rails connect the sanctuary with Kozhikode, Mysore and Ooty - all within a 110 km radius. The nearest airport is Kozhikode.Sulthan Bathery, Tholpetty and Muthanga are important centers of the Sanctuary.

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary (Kannur District)
Established in 1984, the sanctuary is situated next to the Central State Farm at Aralam in Kannur district.

Safe deposits. World’s richest bio - diversity spot. India’s last stretch of tropical evergreens. India’s richest bird habitat. World’s largest population of endangered Niligiri Tahrs.World’s largest population of Lion - tailed Macaques. World’s oldest teak plantation. Rare medicinal herbs. Natural growing sandalwood forests. Thirteen tribal settlements. ENSURE YOUR PARTICIPATION.
DESTINATIONS
Kerala offers the traveller a throng of choices, from famous beaches to big metropolises to quiet secluded islands. The beauty of it says it all, you don't need to spend a lot of time or
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