Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Posted Date: 18 Jul 2010 Author: Roshan Salim

Member Level: Diamond (Rs. 30)

This is an article about Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and the exotic wildlife present here.

About Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1978. It is also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve. The Tiger Reserve is starting from the borders of Idukki district and is extended up to Sabarimala. For tourists those who wish to have a better understanding with the nature and wildlife must visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This is an ideal place for them.
Including the Keralates there are lacks of tourists are visiting this place to know about the exotic wildlife here. The Sanctuary improved very much under the Eco-tourism project. It has an area of about 777 sq km. The wildlife itself is the main attraction of this Sanctuary.

Location of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the high ranges of Western Ghats. It is expanded in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta, The Sanctuary is about 100 km east of Alappuzha and 120 kms away from Kochi. The cardamom hills, kumily, Aleppey etc are some of the attractions near the park.

Climate in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

The climate of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary varies according to the months. In December and January, the temperature is about 15 Degree Celsius. But in the months of May it is 31 Degree Centigrade. The park also receives an annual rainfall of 2000 to 3000mm. The weather is quite pleasant here.

Best Time to Visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

There is south west monsoon in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the months of June, July, August and September and north eastern monsoon during October and December. So it is better to avoid these seasons and can visit here in the months between January and May.

Attractions in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is well known for its flora which consists of the evergreen forest. The trees are very big and crowded so that a single drop of sunlight reaches the ground. They are also well known for its grassland where the elephants are grazed. This is a splendor to watch.

The place is also rich in its fauna. Periyar Tiger Resesve, from the name itself the place is a habitat of tigers. I is estimated that there are 40 tigers in this reserve. There are also many elephants, Wild Pigs, Sambar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer etc. The elephants which comes in herds to the Periyar river to drink water in an interesting seen. The sanctuary is also a habitat of wide varieties of Amphibians, Reptiles and Birds. The ecosystem in Periyar is very rich with these features.

Trips in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Periyar river near Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is an excellent spot for boating trips. Many boat cruises are provided by the tourism authorities of Periyar for the tourists. These boat trips reveal an outline of the whole Wildlife Sanctuary and some time you may see the herds of elephants, sambar deers etc near the water edges. These boat trips will surely be a rare experience.

How to Reach Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Air : Kochi Airport about 200 km or Madurai in Tamil Nadu at 140 km away

Railway: Kottayam Railway Srtation about 114 kms away from the Sanctuary

Road : Kumily, the nearest town from Periyar. There are many tourist car and bus services from Kottayam and Eranakulam to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary