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| WILD
LIFE KERALA |
The major
tourist activities that can be undertaken in the wild
life parks are wild life tours. One can really feel
the smell of an Elephant in these tours. Elephant rides,
staying at jungle lodges, tree houses, fishing camps
etc. are other facilities available there. Guides are
available in the Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary for treks
in the forest. The Parambikulam forest authorities organize
wild life tours in the park. |
| Eravikulam National Park : |
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This
sanctuary was set up specially for the preservation
of Nilgiri Tahr, one of the seriously endangered
animals. Now the number of tahrs has increased and
they constitute the largest known population of
tahrs existing in the world. In addition to tahr,
the park shelters elephants, sambars, gaurs, lion-tailed
macaque, Nilgiri langur, tigers and leopards. Munnar,
the nearest town, which is connected to |
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| Kottayam
(148 km.) and Ernakulam (130 km.) by road. There is a
motorable road upto Rajamally. Further, travel is on foot,
but the trekking is really enjoyable. |
| Silent Valley National Park : |
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The
Silent Valley contains India’s last substantial
stretch of tropical evergreen rain forests and it
is perhaps the only vestige of a near virgin forest
in the whole of the Western Ghats. Elephants, tigers,
wild dog, flying squirrel and lion-tailed macaque
are found here.From Mukkali one has to cover at
least 24 km on foot to reach the source of river |
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| Kuntipuzha,which
flows through the valley. Nearest railhead is Palghat,
75 km away. Admission to this part is restricted. Prior
permission is required to visit the part. For further
detail contact: The Divisional Forest Officer, Palghat. |
| Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary : |
| The most
renowned destination is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
at Thekkady, one of India's major sanctuary areas. The
drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds
through tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick
jungles. The sanctuary offers a lovely and comfortable
way to see the animals via boat rides on the man-made
lake, which the wildlife areas encircle. In addition to
the wild life, there are water and land birds galore here,
and one can sometimes find dedicated bird watchers setting
in for one or two weeks of serious observations. |
| Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary : |
| This bird sanctuary is a peninsular
land of 25 sq. km. Formed between the branches of River
Periyar. The rivers are rich in fishlife and are shallow
for most of the year. The avifauna includes both resting
indigenous birds and water birds. The most notable of
the indigenous birds are Malabar grey hornbill, grey jungle
fowl, heron, egret, jungle myna, wood pecker, rose winged
and blue winged parakeet. Rare birds like Ceylon frog-mouth,
rose billed roller etc. are also seen. |
| Parambikulam
Wildlife Sanctuary : |
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This
bird sanctuary is a peninsular land of 25 sq. km.
Formed between the branches of River Periyar. The
rivers are rich in fishlife and are shallow for
most of the year. The avifauna includes both resting
indigenous birds and water birds. The most notable
of the indigenous birds are Malabar grey hornbill,
grey jungle fowl, heron, egret, jungle myna, wood
pecker, rose winged and blue winged parakeet. Rare
birds like Ceylon frog-mouth, rose billed roller
etc. are also seen. |
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| Parambikulam is endowed
with luxuriant vegetation. It has one of the largest population
of gaur (bison). Sambar, spotted deer, jungle cat, lion-tailed
macaque, common otter, sloth bear etc. are also seen.
There are also a few tigers and leopards |
| Idukki
Wildlife Sanctuary :The sanctuary is situated just
above the arch dam. An area of 70 sq. km. of forest land
in between the Periyar and Cheruthoni rivers form an excellent
habitat for wildlife. Elephants, bisons, bear, wild boars,
sambar etc are found in this area. The lake on the three
sides of the sanctuary offers a panoramic view to the
tourists. |
| Chinnar
Wildlife Sanctuary :Proximity to Eravikulam National
Park and Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu makes
Chinnar rich in wildlife. This sanctuary is easily accessible
from Udumalpet in Tamil Nadu and Munnar in Kerala. |
| Aralam
Wildlife Sanctuary :Elephants, sloth bear, sambar,
mouse-deer etc. are found in this sanctuary. It is also
rich in avifauna and reptiles. This sanctuary is easily
accessible from Kannur. |
| Peppara
Wildlife Sanctuary : Peppara is accessible from
Vithurai on Thiruvananthapuram – Ponmudi road. This
sanctuary with its rich fauna and birds is emerging as
a big attraction to wildlife enthusiasts. It is spread
over an area of 53 Sq. km. on the Western Ghats. This
is dotted with large hills and numerous hillocks with
forests and Eucalyptus plantations. Elephant, Sambar,
Leopard and Lion tailed macaque are commonly seen. |
| Neyyar Wildlife
Sanctuary : |
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The
Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends
9.06 sq. km. The vegetation varies from tropical
wet evergreen to grasslands. Agasthyakoodam of 1890
metres elevation is in this sanctuary. Elephants,
gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr, jungle cat, wild
boar, Nilgiri Langur etc. are seen. A crocodile
rearing centre, deer farm and lion safari park are
the main attractions near the dam site. |
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| Nagarhole
Wildlife Sanctuary : It is 40 km from Mananthavady.
There are no bus services to Nagarhole from Mananthavady,
only jeeps and trucks are available. There is a PWD Rest
House, Forest Rest House and Forest Inspection Bungalow
at Mananthavady. The reservation authorities are the District
Collector, Waynad and the DFO, Mananthavady. There are
also mid range hotels and an Indian Coffee House here.
From Cannanore, Tellicherry and Calicut there are frequent
buses to Mananthavady. |
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