The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Western Ghats and is a part of the Idukki District. This region is richly populated with a wide array of indigenous flora and fauna which makes it a trendy tourist destination. Chinnar houses a myriad variety of medicinal plants, and its animal population includes species such as grizzled giant squirrel, star tortoise, gaur, spotted deer, tufted grey langur, slender loris, crocodile, wild elephant, tiger, leopard and many birds. If animals and plants fascinate you, then there is no better way to get acquainted with them than to visit the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Since it is a government protected enclosure, you can experience flora and fauna in its natural habitat, uninterrupted by the hullabaloo of the city. The mixed deciduous forests found here are ideal for some rudimentary trekking as well. Rich in its diversity, this destination is a delightful learning experience for children and adults alike.
It is one of the twelve wildlife sanctuaries among the protected areas of Kerala. The UNESCO World Heritage Community is considering the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, along with the Western Ghats and the Anamalai Sub-Cluster for selection as a world heritage site. There are some significant peaks located in the sanctuary, namely Kumarikkal Mala peak, Nanadala Malai, Kottakombu Malai, Vellaikal Malai and Viriyoottu Malai. The sanctuary receives its considerable share of water from Chinnar and Pambar rivers. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to the Thoovanam Waterfall, which lies on the Pambar River.
Inside the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, there are 11 tribal settlements, demarcated by temporary stone walls. This famous sanctuary is visited by many tourists, especially the nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. It has been declared as a biodiversity hotspot due to its unique topography and abundance of flora and fauna.
The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a well-known repository of medicinal plants and it houses a good population of the Grizzled Giant Squirrel, star tortoise, tufted grey langur, gaur, spotted deer, slender loris, wild elephant, crocodile, tiger, leopard, along with many bird and insect species. There are close to 144 species of animals, 225 recorded species of birds, 1000 species of flowering plants, and a wide variety of medicinal plants in the forest. All these together make the Sanctuary one of the richest forest reserves in Kerala in terms of vegetation.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its eco-tourism activities, organized by the Forest Department and the Eco-development Committees of the local tribal communities. These activities include river trekking, jungle trekking, trekking to the cultural site, tree house stay, camping, and more. The sanctuary is a well-known storehouse of medicinal plants, used to make the different type of Ayurvedic and allopathic tablets.
The best time to visit this wonderful destination is during winters as the place looks extremely beautiful post Monsoon season, which hit Kerala twice in a year. Rain gives a unique freshness to this tropical forest range, which is hard to find anywhere else.
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