Wildlife in Kerala
Kerala has about 30% of its land cover accounted for, by forests. The jungles of
Kerala are famous for the Elephants and Tigers besides other animals. Periyar Wild
Life Sanctuary, Parimbikulam Wild Life Scantuary, Eravikulam National Park are the
major wild life centers. Kumarakom, Thattekkad, Myladumpara are the main Bird watching
centers.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady in Kerala, is one of the 16 Project Tiger
Reserves in India. About a century ago, a British engineer, Col. J. Pennycuick,
chalked out a plan to dam the Periyar River, subsequently, a dam was constructed
in 1895. This resulted in the adjoining forests being granted protection, by the
Maharaja of Travancore. The 55 sq km reservoir and the surrounding forests, provide
protection to the animals within. Today, Periyar is undeniably, one of the most
impressive wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
Main animals in the sanctuaries of Kerala are Bison or gaur, sambar, deer, wild
dogs, wild elephants 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 l;angurs, peacocks, star tortoises,
wild dogs, civet cats, The Atlas moth, bonnet, macaques, Loris, mongoose, foxen,
bears, barking deer, pangolins, bison, bears etc..
Main birds in the sanctuaries of Kerala are water fowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron,
water duck, migratory siberian duck, jungle fowls, mynas, laughing thrushes, black
bulbuls, peafowls, woodpeckers, kingfishers, the hornbill, stork, raptor, darter,
cormorant, grackle, cluster, indian rollers, common snipes, crow pheasants, jungle
nightjars, kites, grey drongos, malabar trogons, large pied wagtails, baya sparrows,
grey jungle fowls, indian hill mynas, robins, jungle babblers, sunbirds, peacocks,
crimson-throated barbets, bee-eaters, shrikes, fairy bluebirds, grey-headed fishing
eagles, black winged kites, night herons, grey hornbills, malabar hornbills and
more than 253 additional species including migrant birds.Main reptiles in 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 etc...
Major wildlife parks and national parks in Kerala
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
How to reach:
Nearest Airport - Madurai (143 Kms)
Nearest Railhead - 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.
The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary at Thekkady is a 777 sq. km reserve on the western
slopes of the Western Ghats is the most popular wild life sanctuary. A pleasant
place to escape from the madding crowds of the cities and towns, a nice place to
cruise on the lake, a place to enjoy a jungle walk with an opportunity to see the
wild animals. The park is home to antelopes, bison, sambar, wild boar, elephants
and a wide variety of birds in addition to tigers and leopards. The journey to Thekkady
itself is quite enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, green
plantations and thick jungles.
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary :
How to reach:
Nearest Airport - Cochin (71 Km)
Nearest Railway Station - Aluva (48 Km).
The Thattekkad bird sanctuary, constituted in 1983, occupies the catchment 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
identified 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 attract nature lovers from all over the world.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
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 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.
Other Wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks of Kerala :
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
Nestled in the lush forests of the Western ghats in Kerala are 12 Wildlife sanctuaries
and two National Parks.
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