Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (1950)

Thekkady is a tourist destination known as the ' Eco-Tourism Capital ' of Kerala . The main attraction here is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread over an area of ​​777 square kilometers, this sanctuary is the first wildlife sanctuary in Kerala and is also a tiger sanctuary. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a habitat for many species of animals and birds. The Forest Department and the Tourism Department have arranged boating facilities for tourists in the Periyar Lake. Periyar is also one of the sanctuaries where elephants can be seen the most. The Forest Department has prepared various eco-tourism packages for tourists here, such as Jungle Patrol and Tiger Train.

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary (1958)

Neyyar is a wildlife sanctuary located in the southern tip of Kerala. It has an area of ​​128 square kilometers. It is 32 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram . The area was declared a protected area in 1958. The Neyyar Dam and the garden are the main attractions here. The name is related to the Neyyar River. The areas of Agasthya Koodam , Agasthya Shaila Valley , Chottupara and Varayattumudi are within this sanctuary. Agasthyamala is the highest mountain in Kerala after Anamudi. It is located in the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is rich in evergreen forests, deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, grasslands and dry forests. There are many rocky hills and mountains here. Agasthya Koodam, at a height of 1890 meters, is the highest peak in the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The Western Ghats in Kerala end at the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. One of its borders is Tamil Nadu.

Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary (1958)

The Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary is a 125 km2 forest area adjacent to the Peechi-Vazhani dams . Located in Thrissur and Thalappally taluks, this sanctuary came into existence in August 1958. It is a protected area for a variety of plants and animals. Animals like leopard , deer , leopard , elephant , and wild buffalo can be seen here. Tourists can enjoy the beauty of the forest by boating in the Peechi Lake. The Peechi Dam can be reached from Thrissur via Kannara. This wildlife sanctuary is connected to two dams, Peechi and Vazhani. The headquarters of the Kerala Forest Research Institute ( KFRI) is also located in Peechi.

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (1973)

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve is located in Palakkad district, close to the Tamil Nadu border. It is located between the Anamalai Range and the Nelliyampathy Range. Parambikulam is the only protected area that does not have an official entry gate through Kerala. To enter Parambikulam, which is adjacent to the Indira Gandhi National Park in Tamil Nadu, you have to go to Pollachi in Tamil Nadu. The world's largest teak tree, Kannimara Teak, is in Parambikulam. The three dams here are Parambikulam , Thunakadavu , and Peruvarapalam. Trekking , rafting through the dam , and wildlife observation are attractions prepared for tourists in Parambikulam. This is also one of the sanctuaries in Kerala where you can see the most wild buffaloes and tigers. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2010 .

Wayanad / Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary (1973)

Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is the only wildlife sanctuary that shares borders with the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Muthanga, the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala, is headquartered in Sultan Bathery. Declared a protected area in 1973 , it has an area of ​​344.44 square kilometers. Muthanga is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is spread over Mananthavady and Sultan Bathery taluks. It is also known as Begur Wildlife Sanctuary and Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary. In 1992 , this area was brought under Project Elephant. Although there are many types of wild animals, the important ones are tiger , leopard , wild buffalo , wild boar , wild boar and spotted deer. Due to the wide presence of various plant species, birds, reptiles , mammalsbutterflies are also abundant here. It is located between the Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks in Karnataka and the Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu. Trekking is the main attraction of Muthanga.

ldukki Wildlife Sanctuary (1976)

It has an area of 77 sq. km. It is situated in the taluks of Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola in the district. Sanctuary is famous for its elephant population. There exists 33 sq.km scenic lake around the sanctuary.

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary (1983)

Peppara is a prominent wildlife sanctuary in Thiruvananthapuram district. It is located in Nedumangad taluk. It came into existence in 1983. It is spread over an area of ​​53 square kilometers and is part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve. The Peppara dam built across the Karamanayar is also located here. Palode and Kottoor reservoirs also fall under the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary. Described as a paradise for wildlife, this sanctuary is home to a large number of waterfowl and butterflies such as the grebe , the waterbuck , various species of storks , and the ponman. The Forest and Wildlife Department supervises the eco-tourism activities here.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary (1983)

Thattekad is the most prominent bird sanctuary in Kerala. It is located thirteen kilometers from Kothamangalam. This sanctuary is named after the famous birdwatcher Dr. Salim Ali. This place is also famous as the habitat of the rare bird Macaque. Various species of birds like the hornbill , the firecrow , the crow , the owl, etc. can be seen here. Various migratory birds arrive in Thattekad from October. Trekking and a watchtower interpretation center have been arranged here for tourists.

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary (1983)

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary lies in the Malappuram District. The Sanctuary is a heaven for migratory birds. It extends over a group of islands where the Kadalundipuzha River goes and falls into the Arabian Sea.

Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary (1984)

Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is the only wildlife sanctuary in Kerala named after a tree. It is the only wildlife sanctuary in Kollam district and was established in 1984. Thenmala is the headquarters of the wildlife sanctuary. Thenmala can be reached after half an hour's drive from Punalur. The main attractions of Thenmala are the Kallada-Parappar dam , hanging bridge , boating , sculpture park , walking along the wooden bridge , river crossing , cycling , butterfly park , musical dancing fountain , Erumadam , and trekking. This wildlife sanctuary is part of the Kulathupuzha Reserve Forest. Covering an area of ​​171 square kilometers, this sanctuary is home to the endemic and rare Chenkurunji trees. The scientific name of Shendurney is Gluta travancoorica. Although there are many types of wild animals, the most important are the black monkey , wild buffalo , deer, and Hanuman monkey.

Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary (1984)

Chimmini is a wildlife sanctuary located at the foothills of the Nelliyampathy hills in Thrissur district. It is adjacent to the Peechi-Vazhani and Parambikulam wildlife sanctuaries. Chimmini Dam is also a part of this wildlife sanctuary. This is a forest area rich in evergreen forests. Wild animals like leopard , elephant , bear , wild boar , and wild buffalo are all found here. The main attraction here is the bamboo raft ride through the dam. The forest department also provides opportunities for riding through the forest. Chimmini can be easily reached by road from Amballur.

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary (1984)

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the slopes of the Western Ghats. Aralam is the most important wildlife sanctuary in Kannur district. It can be reached by traveling 11 km from Iritty. A wide range of species of flora and fauna can be seen here. Although there are many types of wild animals, the most important are elephants , sika deer , wild buffalo , mountain squirrel , pig , monkey and wild cat. Aralam is a beautiful forest area with mountains and streams. Kattibetta is the highest mountain in this forest, which is 55 square kilometers in area. Teak and eucalyptus grow in 490 hectares of this forest area . Trekking is the main attraction of Aralam. Other important sights are Cheekkannipuzha, Chavachi waterfall and Ambalappara Mudi. Tourists can also visit Aralam Farm.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (1984)

Chinnar is a rain shadow area of ​​the Western Ghats. The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a major attraction here. It is located adjacent to the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu to the north and the Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary to the east. It became a wildlife sanctuary in 1984 and has a total area of ​​90.44 square kilometers. Rich in Chola forests, it is home to a variety of wildlife including wild buffalo , elephant , and Chambal mountain deer. Chinnar is the only wildlife sanctuary in Kerala where Chambal mountain deer and star tortoise are found. The forest department also organizes trekking here for tourists. Trekking is mainly done to Thuvan and Kootar. Chinnar region, located on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, is fifteen kilometers away from Marayur.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (1991)

It is also called as Vembanad Bird Sanctuary. It is located at Kumarakom in the Kottayam district. In the past, it is known in the name of Baker's Estate. The sanctuary is extended over 14 acres in the southern coast of the Kavanar River. Sanctuary is a most wanted place for migratory birds like darter, siberian stork, teal, egret and heron.

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary (2004)

A forest in the middle of the city! That is Mangalavanam. This small grove is located near the High Court building complex in Ernakulam city. It is the smallest protected area in Kerala. Established in 2004 , its total area is 0.0274 sq km. Mangalavanam is a small island with a mix of mangroves and other natural forests. 24 species of mangrove plants have been identified here. Various birds , reptiles and bats can be seen here. There is also a watch tower for visitors.

Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary (2006)

It is located in Devikulam taluk. It covers an area of ​​32 square kilometers. Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary was established on October 6, 2006 to protect the Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once in 12 years . Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary is the first protected area established in Kerala for a specific plant. The scientific name of Neelakurinji is Strobilanthus kunthianus.

Choolannur Bird Sanctuary (2007)

The Choolannur Peacock Sanctuary is located on the Thrissur-Palakkad border. The full name of this sanctuary is K.K. Neelakandan Memorial Peacock Sanctuary. It is named in memory of K.K. Neelakandan, a famous birdwatcher of Kerala.   The Choolannur Peacock Sanctuary can be reached from Thiruvilvamalai and Palakkad. Choolannur is also the only protected sanctuary for peacocks in Kerala. This sanctuary, full of rock formations and bamboo groves, provides opportunities for trekking and wildlife observation for tourists. The Choolannur Peacock Sanctuary is under the Peechi Wildlife Division. The Nakshatra Forest is another major attraction of this sanctuary.

Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary (2010)

Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 74 square kilometers in Kozhikode district. This is the 16th Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary has diverse vegetation types. It is maintained by the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is also a hub for the Wayanad Elephant Reserve. The forests of Kakkayam is bordering with the mountain hills of Kakkanmala, Banasuramak, Vannathimala, Vellarimala, and the Kurichyarmak.