Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
In the banks of Periyar Lake lays the pride of Kerala – The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. This is a protected area placed in the Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala. The sanctuary which borders with Tamil Nadu is located in the Cardamom and Pandhalam hills in the Western Ghats. The wildlife sanctuary is also famous for its tiger reserve and elephant reserve. Out of the total protected area of 925 sq km, the 350 sq km was declared as a national park in the year 1982. Often this park is addressed as either Periyar wildlife sanctuary or Thekkady.
Apart from Elephants, the other animals can be found in the Periyar Sanctuary are Wild Pigs, Sambar, Gaur, Mouse Deer, Dole or Barking Deer, Indian Wild Dog and Tiger. There are, now estimated counts of 40 tigers in the Periyar National Park. The major four species of primates are also found at Periyar - the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Gee's Golden Langur, Common Langur and Bonnet Macaque. Periyar is also being considered as the habitat of the elusive Nilgiri Tahr, which can rarely be seen but commends its presence.
Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary
Kurinjimala Sanctuary protects the approximately 32 km² core habitat of the endangered Neelakurinji plant in Kottakamboor and Vattavadavillages in Devakulam Taluk, Idukki district of Kerala State in South India. The sanctuary was declared by the Kerala Forest Minister Benoy Viswam at the Neelakurinji Fest at Munnar on October 7, 2006. The Kurinjimala Sanctuary is habitat for the diversity of many rare species of flora and fauna. The sanctuary is home to threatened species of elephant, Gaur, Nilgiri tahr and deer.
Eravikulam National Park
Eravikulam National Park is the first of its kind located in Munnar, Kerala. It is Kerala’s first national park. This park is famous for its collection of tahr. Nilgiri tahr is a goat-like species that are endangered. It is situated along the summit of the Western Ghats in the high ranges of Idduki district of Kerala. This is also the land of "Neelakurinji", a flower that blooms once in twelve years. The park also boasts of hosting South India's highest peak, Anamudi (2695 m), in its southern area. This park is spread over an area of 97 square kilometres and packs tons of fun spots for people to have a good time in. The rare flora and fauna present in the park also attract visitors.
Anaimudi Shola National Park
Anamudi Shola National Park is a protected area located along the Western Ghats in Idukki District in Kerala state. It is composed of Idivara Shola Reserve, Pullardi Shola Reserve and Mannavan Shola Reserve. This park is 45 km from Munnar. The total area of the park is 7.5 km². Anamudi Shola National Park is administered by the Kerala Department of Forests and Wildlife, Munnar Wildlife Division along with others National Parks and Sanctuary. Tourists can find a number of attractive locations in the national park. Thoovanam waterfall is one such example which is very impressive.
The Anamudi Shola National Park is home to rare and magnificent wildlife like the wild Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Indian Bison and Nilgiri tahr etc. There are 62 species of trees, 174 species of herbs and shrubs and 39 species of climbers are spotted from here.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the Nilgiri Mountains, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot. The sanctuary is home to over 580 species of fauna that includes 34 species of mammals and 29 species of snakes. An ideal place for trekking, Chinnar is located in the rain shadow region of Western Ghats and receives very less amount of rainfall every year. Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is famous for its eco-tourism activities, jointly organized by Forest Department and the Eco-development Committees of the local tribal communities. It is around 60 km away from Munnar and the nearest town is Marayur, which is around 16 km away from the sanctuary.
For more details: T & U Leisure Hotel, Munnar
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