KERALA WILDLIFE TOUR

The lord of the jungle is indeed the elephant and not the tiger as many believe . Elephants in the wild call for more caution than any other animal. Elephants have figured in our mythology and have been a part of Indian life for three thousand years. Ganesha the elephant headed Hindu god is worshipped as a harbinger of good luck and prosperity. Elephants are a common sight on our roads and temples and as a source of power still find use in forestry operations. Forests of South India are well known for their elephant populations Nagarhole and Periyar are two noted parks where elephants roam freely with other animals like tiger , leopard , gaur, monkeys and deer . The lake at Periyar enables one to explore its forests on motor boats which allows close and safe observations of elephant and other animals .

Nestled in the lush forests of the Western ghats in Kerala are 12 Wildlife sanctuaries and two National Parks.

The following are the Wildlife Sanctuaries / National Parks in Kerela :
Peppara Wildlife sanctuary, Neyyar Wildlife sanctuary, Shenduruni Wildlife sanctuary, Periyar Wildlife sanctuary, Idduki Wildlife sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary , Parambikulam Wildlife sanctuary, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Muthanga Wildlife sanctuary, Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Silent Valley National Park, Eravikulam National Park

Main animals in the sanctuaries of Kerela are :
Elephants, gaur, sambar, deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tigers, wild boars, sloth bears, leopards, lion tailed macaques, Nilgiri Tahrs, langur, malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, tiger,panthers, spotted deer, grizzled giant squirrels, Hanuman langurs, peacocks, star tortoises, wild dogs, civet cats, The Atlas moth, bonnet, macaques, Loris, mongoose, foxen, bears, barking deer, pangolins, bison, bears etc..

The Reptiles found in the sanctuaries of Kerala are :
Cobra, Viper, krait, a number of non poisonous snakes, bicoloured frogs, crocodiles, varanur pond terrapins, cane turtles, star tortoises, geckoes, skunks, chameleons, spectacled cobras, pythons, green keel backs, rat snakes, vine snakes, monitor lizards

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary :
Access :
Nearest Airport - Coimbatore and Cochin.
Nearest Railway Station - Pollachi (60 Km) And Aluva (200 Kms).

Area :
Total - 90.422 Sq.Km.

Climate :
Rainfall - 100 Mm. Unlike Other Regions In Kerala, Chinnar Gets Only 48 Days Of Rain ( Northeast Monsoon : October - November) Annually.

Located in the rain shadow region of the western ghats, the sanctary occupies the forested region on either side of the Marayoor - Udumalped road. This is the second habitat of the endangered giant grizzled squirrel of india. The location of 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.

Vegetation :
Forest Types - Thorny Scrub Forest With Xerophytic Species. Dry Deciduous Forests, High Sholas And Wetlands.

Wildlife Population :
Mammals - Elephant, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Panther, Sambar, The Endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel, Hanuman Langur, Rabbit Etc
Eravikulam National Park :
Access :
Nearest Airport - Cochin (155 Kms)
Nearest Railway Station - Aluva (114 Kms) From Munnar.
Area :
Total - 97 Sq.Km. Core: 350 Sq.Km. Periyar Lake 26 Sq. Km, Forest Cover : 360 Sq.K.M.
Climate : This is one of the wettest regions of the world. Rainfall : 4500 mm. Frost is common in the winter months - december to february. 15 Km North Of Munnar. 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 Breathtakingly Beautiful And Comparable To The Alpine Ranges. This Land Of The Neelakurinji Is 7 Km From The Rajamalai Hills.

Vegetation :Forest Types - Rolling Grasslands and on a Higher Level, Shola Forest.
Wildlife Population :Mammals - Tigers , Panther, Wild Dog, Civet Cats, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Langur, Wild Boar, Nilgiri Tahr etc


Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary :
Access :
Nearest Airport - Madurai (143 Kms)
Nearest Railway Station - Kumarakom (114 Kms).
Nearest Town - Kumily (4km), the entry point to the Reserve is Thekkady, Which is Accessible by Good Roads from Madurai, Cochin & Thiruvananthapuram.

Area :
Total - 77 Sq.Km.
Climate :
Monsoon : June - November
Rainfall : 2200 Mm. 40 kms from Thodupuzha town. Spread over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks 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 santruary - the Idukki reservoir - is formed by the three dams Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu.

Vegetation :
Tropical Dense Evergreen Forest : White Pine, Kuntherekka Pine, Punnappa, Bhadraksham, Palai, Vediplavu, Maravuri, Vayana Etc.
Wildlife Population :
Reptiles - Elephant, Deer , Bear, Leopard Tiger, Wild Pig Etc.
Mammals - Cobra, Viper, Python, Rat Snake, Etc.
Reptiles - Hornbill, Kingfisher, Woodpecker.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary :
Located on the banks of the vembanad lake, the kumarakom bird sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Other common varieties like the woodpecker, skylark, crane, water hen and parrots can also be spotted here. A cruise along the vembabad lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. Pathiramanal, an enchanting island on the lake, can be accessed by boat from here.

Best Time :
Between June And August. (Migratory Birds : November - February)
Pathiramanal :
This 10 acre island on the backwaters is home to may rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world.