Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in 16 K M away from Sultan Bathery .The Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary also referred as  Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary. the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous with the protected area network of the Nagarhole National Park and the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in the neighbouring State of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamilnadu. This sanctuary spread over 345 sq km is rich with fauna and flora.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. It is bestowed with lush green forests and rich wildlife. Also known as the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, this wildlife area houses some of the rare and endangered species of both flora and fauna.

Established in 1973, the sanctuary is now an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphre Reserve. It’s bounded by protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka in the northeast, and on the southeast by Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu.

The wildlife sanctuary comes under Protect Elephant and one can spot herd of elephants roaming in the area.

Elephant rides are arranged by the Forest Department,Kerala. Discovering and observing the wildlife while being atop an elephant is an enthralling and unforgettable experience.

Directions

By Air: Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode, nearly 120 km from Sulthan Bathery.

By Rail: Kozhikode, about 97 km by road from Sulthan Bathery.

Aralam wildlife sanctuary

Aralam wildlife sanctuary located at 35 K M From Thalassery and 60 K M from Kannur. The Aralam Sanctuary is spread over 55 sq km of undulating forested highlands on the slopes of the Western Ghats. The highest peak here - Katti Betta - rises to a majestic 1145 m above sea level.  It was established in 1984.

In the evergreen areas the following species are found: vellapine (Vateria indica), Mesua ferrea, Mechilus macrantha, Calophyllum elatum, Cullenia rosayroona, Magnifera indica, Toona cillata, Myristica Species, Euphorbia Longana, Strobilanthes. The common trees in the semievergreen areas are Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Hopea parviflora, Largestroemia lanceolata, Xyliaxylocarpa, Mallotus, Philippinensis.

A variety of animals and birds usually found in the Western Ghats are seen here. Different kinds of deer, boar, elephant, and bison are quite common. Leopard, jungle cat and various types of squirrels are sighted.

Enquiries

The Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Thiruvananthapuram - 695 014, Kerala

The Wildlife Warden, Aralam Wildlife,

Division, Kannur.

The Assistant Wildlife Warden, Iritty, Kannur Dist. Pin Code: 670 673

Directions

By Air - Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode about 71 km from Thalasserry town.

By Rail- Thalasserry, about 35 km.

Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary

Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary lies with in the geographical extremes of latitudes 10026’ N and 100 40’ N longitudes 760 15’ E and 760 28’ N in the Taluk of Thrissur and Thalappilly  and in the administrative jurisdiction of Peechi Wild life Division of Northern Wild life Circle, Palakkad. The sanctuary comprises of parts of Paravattanimala, machadmala and Bahranipacha mala .The total area of the sanctuary is 125 Sq.km.

Ponmudi is the highest peak (923m) in this region which runs to the altitude ranging from 45 metres to 900 metres. The sanctuary has around 25 types of mammals. Carnivorous animals like the tiger, leopard and fox are also found lurking in the thick growth. The wildlife sanctuary is also rich in bird life as more than 60 types of birds and 10 types of snakes are also found here. Besides the flora and fauna at the sanctuary, one can also enjoy boat rides at the Lake in the sanctuary.

Accommodation facilities can be availed at the rest house, and the information centre. Boating facilities are available here

Enquiry

1. Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife)

Thiruvananthapuram - 695 014

Phone: 0487 322217

Directions

By Air: Nearest airport is Kochi, 98 kms.

By Rail: Nearest railway station is at Thrissur, 23 kms.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary Located at Devikulam Taluk in Idduki District .The sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously.it is one of the import bird sanctuaries among India.

It is a home to a microcosm of India's bird population with about 500 winged species

Indian Roller, Cukoo, Common Snipe, Crow Pheasant, Jungle Nightjar, Kite, Grey Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Woodpecker, Large Pied Wagtail, Baya Sparrow, Grey Jungle Fowl, Indian Hill Myna, Robin, Jungle Babbler And Darter.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is a rare haven in Kerala. Bombay Natural History Society has identified 253 species here. The rivers are rich in fish life and are shallow for most of the year.

Rare Birds

Crimson-throated barbet, bee-eater, sunbird, shrike, fairy blue-bird, grey-headed fishing eagle, blackwinged kite, night heron, grey heron, Malabar shama, common grey hornbill and Malabar hornbill.

Directions

By Rail – Cochin International Airport

By Road- Nearest Railway station Aluva

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Chinnar wildlife Sanctuary  located 60 K M away from Munnar (Idduki District)  in the border of Tamil Nadu. it is one of the 12 wildlife sanctuary among the protected areas of kerala.  The altitudinal variation of the region that ranges from 500 to 2400 mts blesses it with a diverse variety of flora and fauna.

34 species of Mammals live here, including many Panthers and Spotted deer, Indian Elephants, Gaur, Tigers, Sambar Deer, Common langur, Bonnet Macaque, Hanuman monkey, threatened Nilgiri Tahr, vulnerable Rusty-spotted Cats and about 240 of the only vulnerable Grizzled Giant Squirrels in Kerala. 245 species of birds including Yellow-throated Bulbuls. 52 species of reptiles including 29 species of snakes, Indian Star Tortoise and the largest population of vulnerable Mugger Crocodiles in Kerala live in the Sanctuary. Most common of the 42 species of fishes observed in the Chinnar and Pambar rivers are Garra mullya Giant Danioand the endangered hill stream game fish Deccan Mahseer. 22 amphibian species live in the Sanctuary. There are 156 species of butterflies

 There are 965 species of flowering plants in the sanctuary Ecoregions of the sanctuary comprise mostly grassland and wet grasslands vegetation and some South Western Ghats montane rain forests and high shola at the higher western elevations. South Western Ghats moist deciduous forestss at mid elevations give way to dry deciduous forests and thorny scrub forests in the lower dryer eastern edges of the valley. The major Xerophyticspecies in the throny scrub forests areAcacia arabica, Acacia leucofolia, Acacia concinna, Prosporis juliflora, and Opuntia stricta.

The Marayoor Sandalwood forest is located here.

Major attractions

The Chinnar River and Pambar rivers are the major perennial water resources in the sanctuary. The Chinnar originates near Kumarikal Malai, follows the interstate boundary along the northwest edge of the sanctuary for 18 km and becomes the Amaravati River in Tamil Nadu.The Pambar River originates in the Anaimudi Hills and is joined by seasonal rivulets and a few perennial streams originating from sholas in the upper reaches

Gizzled Giant Squirrel: The riverine forests along with Chinnar and Pambar support a large number of highly endangered Grizzled Giant Squirrels. The sanctuary plays host to the second largest population of Grizzled Giant Squirrels in the world.

Thoovanam Waterfalls: Deep within the sanctuary, the spectacular Thoovanam waterfall is located. The river Pambar flows eastwards through the sanctuary and plummets down from a great height on the river Chinnar. Wildlife Department permit tourists to visit the falls as part of wildlife tourism.

Watch Tower: Standing on the lofty watchtower, one can have a panoramic view of the entire park and the wildlife beauties, adjoining jungles in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and also the magnificent mountains far away.

Directions 

By Air: Cochin International Airport, about 110 km from Munnar.

By Rail: Ernakulam, about 130 km from Munnar.

Idukki wildlife sanctuary

 The Idukki wildlife sanctuary is located about 40 km from Thodupuzha in the Idukki district of Kerala. It is one of the important tourist attractions in Kerala. The Idukki sanctuary is located in the forest land between the Cheruthoni river and the Periyar river. There is a beautiful lake around the Idukki sanctuary, surrounded by a captivating cover of tropical evergreen and deciduous forests.

Idukki is one of the most nature-rich areas of Kerala.  This sanctuary extends over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district spreading over 105 Sq. Km. at 450 - 748m above sea level. The Idukki reservoir formed by three dams-Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu-extends to 33 sq km.

ANIMALS
Elephants, Poorcu Pine, Sambar Deer, Wild dogs,Jungle cats, Malabar Gaint Squirrel, Wild boar etc. 
SNAKES 
Cobra, Viper, Krait and a large number of non- poisonous snakes 
BIRDS
Jungle fowl, Myna, Laughing thrush, Black bulbul, Peafowl, Wood pecker, King fisher etc.

Directions

By Air- Madurai in neighbouring Tamilnadu, about 140 km away; Cochin International Airport, about 190 km away

By Rail- Kottayam about 114 km; Changanassery about 114 km away. .

Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park is a 97 km² national park located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala in India, between 10º05'N - 10º20'N latitude and 77º0'E - 77º10'E longitude.

The park is administered by the Kerala Department of Forests and Wildlife, Munnar Wildlife Division, together with the nearby Mathikettan Shola National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park, Pambadum Shola National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kurinjimala Sanctuary.The Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including all of Eravikulam National Park, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.

The main body of the park consists of a high rolling hill plateau with a base elevation of about 2,000 m. The terrain consists of high altitude grasslands interspersed with sholas. Anamudi (2695 m, the highest peak in India south of the Himalayas is inside this park. Many perennial streams criss-cross the park. They merge together to form tributaries of the Periyar river and Chalakudiyar River on the west and the east flowing Cauvery River in Tamil Nadu. 

Twenty six species of mammals have been recorded in the park including the largest surviving population ofNilgiri Tahr, estimated at about 750 in number. The other ungulates are Gaur, Indian Muntjac and Sambar Deer. Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Wild dog, Dhole,leopard and tiger are the main predators. Some little known animals such as Nilgiri langur, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Indian Porcupine, Nilgiri Marten, small clawed otter, Ruddy Mongoose, and Funambulus sublineatus) Dusky striped squirrel are also found. Elephants make seasonal visits.

132 species of birds have been recorded which include endemics like Black-and-orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, [Brachypteryx major|White Bellied Shortwing]],Nilgiri Verditer Flycatcher and Kerala Laughingthrush.

Endemic butterflies confined to the shola-grass land ecosystem like the Red Disk Bushbrownand Palni Fourwing are among the 101 species in the park.

19 species of amphibians have been recorded in the park.

Directions

Getting there: Eravikulam is 15 km from Munnar.

By Rail- Kottayam, about 142 km from Munnar; Ernakulam, about 130 km from Munnar. 

By Air- Madurai (Tamilnadu) about 142 km; Cochin International Airport, about 150 km.