Thekkady,
India's largest wildlife sanctuary,
is a dream destination for any tourist
visiting India. The 120 years old 'Surki'
dam built across Peryiar, Poorna in
vedic parlance, is a major tourist attraction.
This sanctuary is spread over an area
of 777 Sq.Kms, surrounded by an artificial
lake over an area of 25 Sq.Kms. The
Country's sole Tiger reserve, Thekkady,
with its bountiful treasures of tropical
flora and fauna is the ultimate reservoir
of many an endangered species and a
rich tribal culture. Thekkady is a pleasant
heaven on earth for those who love nature
in its wild manifestations.
Chinnar
Located at Devikulam taluk of Idukki district Kerala, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a well-known reserve that extends over an area of over 90 sq km. Recognized as a wildlife sanctuary in 1984, it lies in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats. As a result, Chinnar gets only about 48 rainy days in a year during the months of October and November when Northeast monsoons are at work.
Parambikulam
Amidst the Annamalai ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala, lies the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, a reservoir abundant with a variety of trees, mainly teak, neem, sandalwood and rosewood.
Muthanga
Better
known as the Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary,
Muthanga is unique for the colours of
the forests change with the seasons.
Bordering the Mudumulai Sanctuary in
Tamil Nadu and Nagarhole and Bandipur
Sanctuaries in Karnataka, the Wynad
Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 344
sq km and is about 16 km east of Sulthan
Bathery in Wayanad. Elephants, spotted
deer, gaur, sambar, sloth bear and many
varieties of birds and reptiles can
also be seen here. As the name suggests,
you could station yourself at Wynad
to visit the Sanctuary. One can spot
tigers and various other species like
deer, monkeys and birds at the Muthanga
Wildlife Sanctuary. The flora of sanctuary
includes deciduous and evergreen forests.
One of the best ways to explore the
sanctuary is an elephant ride, which
can be arranged by the Forest Department.
Silent Valley
Silent Valley National Park is about 40 kms from Mannarkkad in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Teeming with wildlife, the park is home to Rare Birds, Deer and Tiger.
Eravikulam
Spread over 97 sq. kms of untouched natural splendour, Eravikulam National Park is a sanctuary set up for the preservation of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.
