Chinnar
Wildlife Sanctuary :
Access :
Nearest Airport - Coimbatore and Cochin.
Nearest Railway Station - Pollachi (60 Km) And Aluva (200 Kms).
Area :
Total - 90.422 Sq.Km.
Climate :
Rainfall - 100 Mm. Unlike Other Regions In Kerala, Chinnar Gets Only 48
Days Of Rain ( Northeast Monsoon : October - November) Annually.
Located in the rain shadow region of the western ghats, the sanctary
occupies the forested region on either side of the Marayoor - Udumalped
road. This is the second habitat of the endangered giant grizzled squirrel
of india. The location of sanctuary offers the unique advantage of watching
its fascinating wildlife at close quarters from the road without venturing
deep into the jungle. The Marayoor sandal forest and the beautiful Thoovanam
waterfalls are located here.
Vegetation :
Forest Types - Thorny Scrub Forest With Xerophytic Species. Dry Deciduous
Forests, High Sholas And Wetlands.
Wildlife Population :
Mammals - Elephant, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Panther, Sambar, The Endangered
Giant Grizzled Squirrel, Hanuman Langur, Rabbit Etc
Eravikulam National Park :
Access :
Nearest Airport - Cochin (155 Kms)
Nearest Railway Station - Aluva (114 Kms) From Munnar.
Area :
Total - 97 Sq.Km. Core: 350 Sq.Km. Periyar Lake 26 Sq. Km, Forest Cover :
360 Sq.K.M.
Climate :
This is one of the wettest regions of the world. Rainfall : 4500 mm. Frost
is common in the winter months - december to february. 15 Km North Of
Munnar. Established In 1975 To Protect The Nilgiri Tahr, The Eravikulam
Sanctuary Was Declared A National Park In 1978 Considering Its Ecological,
Faunal, Floral, Geomorphological And Zoological Significance. The Park Is
Breathtakingly Beautiful And Comparable To The Alpine Ranges. This Land Of
The Neelakurinji Is 7 Km From The Rajamalai Hills.
Vegetation :
Forest Types - Rolling Grasslands and on a Higher Level, Shola Forest.
Wildlife Population :
Mammals - Tigers , Panther, Wild Dog, Civet Cats, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri
Langur, Wild Boar, Nilgiri Tahr etc
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary :
Access :
Nearest Airport - Madurai (143 Kms)
Nearest Railway Station - 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.
Area :
Total - 77 Sq.Km.
Climate :
Monsoon : June - November
Rainfall : 2200 Mm. 40 kms from Thodupuzha town. Spread over the Thodupuzha
and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district, the sanctuary was formed in
1976. The Idukki arch dam, the first major hydroelectric project in Kerala,
is situated here. The 33 sq.km scenic lake around the santruary - the Idukki
reservoir - is formed by the three dams Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu.
Vegetation :
Tropical Dense Evergreen Forest : White Pine, Kuntherekka Pine, Punnappa,
Bhadraksham, Palai, Vediplavu, Maravuri, Vayana Etc.
Wildlife Population :
Reptiles - Elephant, Deer , Bear, Leopard Tiger, Wild Pig Etc.
Mammals - Cobra, Viper, Python, Rat Snake, Etc.
Reptiles - Hornbill, Kingfisher, Woodpecker.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary :
Located on the banks of the vembanad lake, the kumarakom bird sanctuary, an
ornithologist's paradise, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the
siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Other common varieties like
the woodpecker, skylark, crane, water hen and parrots can also be spotted
here. A cruise along the vembabad lake is the best way to experience the
sanctuary. Pathiramanal, an enchanting island on the lake, can be accessed
by boat from here.
Best Time :
Between June And August. (Migratory Birds : November - February)
Pathiramanal :
This 10 acre island on the backwaters is home to may rare varieties of
migratory birds from different parts of the world.
