Kerala has about 30% of its land covered by forests. The jungles of Kerala are famous for the elephants, tigers, leopards, hyenas, bisons, bears, sambha deer, langoors and wild bores. Activities include Jungle patrol, wild life tours, jeep safaris, elephant ride, tree houses, trekking, camping etc. For any of the above said activities prior permission from the Forest department has to be taken.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Spread over 777 sq km with a 26 sq km artificial lake created by the British in 1895. This forest is home to bison, wild boar, tigers and elephants.Access -
Nearest Airport – Madurai – 150 km
Nearest Railway Station – Kottayam – 120 km
Clothing – warm and waterproof clothing, A pair of sunglasses, hat and sunscreen lotion.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary – 60 km from Munnar
Located in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats, the sanctuary occupies the forested region on either side of the Marayoor - Udumalpet 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.
Access -
Nearest Airport – Cochin & Coimbatore
Nearest Railway Station – Pollachi – 60 km & Aluva – 200 km
Eravikulam National Park
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, Geomorphologic And Zoological Significance. This Land of the Neelakurinji Is 7 Km from the Rajamalai Hills.
Access -
Nearest Airport – Cochin – 155 km
Nearest Railway Station – Aluva – 130 km
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Located 110 km from palakkad Parambikulam wild life sanctuary is part of the neighboring Annamalai sanctuary in Tamilnadu. Spread over 285 sq km it has a rich diversity of flora and fauna. It has a large population of gaur, sambar, Nilgiri langoor, jungle cat, sloth bear etc. Trekking in the sanctuary is possible with the permission from the forest department.
Access -
Nearest Airport – Coimbatore
Nearest Railway station – Coimbatore & Palakkad
Silent Valley National Park
Located 80 km away from Palakkad and spread over 90 sq km, silent valley is perhaps the closest to a virgin forest in the entire Western Ghats. It contains India’s last substantial stretch of tropical evergreen rain forests and a large number of wild animals.
Access -
Nearest Airport – Coimbatore
Nearest Railway Station – Coimbatore & Palakkad
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wild Life sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamilnadu on the south east. Rich in bio diversity the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region.
Vegetation:
Moist Deciduous Forest - Teak, Maruthi, Karimaruthi, Rosewood, Venteak, Vengal, Chadachi, Mazhukanjiram, Bamboo etc.
Wildlife Population:
Mammals - Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Jungle Cat, Monkey, Wild Dog, Bison, Deer, Bear Etc. The Elephant Occupies Prime Position Interstate Seasonal Migration Of Elephants Is Common. The Tiger Population In The Sanctuary Is Fairly Good.
Birds - Peacock, Babbler, Cuckoo, Owl, Woodpecker, Jungle Fowl Etc.
Reptiles - Monitor Lizard and a Variety of Snakes
