Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated within the confines of the Western Ghats in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world. In 1895, the British undertook water resource management plans for the area and started work on a dam and an artificial lake under the auspices of Col. J. Pennycuick. The picturesque lake in the heart of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was originally 26 sq km but now spans an area of 55 sq km. This perennial source of water, which initially led to the submersion of large tracts of forestland, slowly attracted wild animals. It eventually resulted in the adjoining forests being granted protection by the Maharaja of Travancore. Post-1975 Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary finds itself in the enviable position of being a national park as well as a protected tiger reserve.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Thekkady) is a park where one can witness playful pachyderms, whose population is currently around 800. The population of tigers is also increasing appreciably. The terrain ranges from hilly to flat grassland areas at the edges of the lakes. In Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary the vegetation is of moist deciduous type.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: Climate

In Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary the temperature during summers (April. June) ranges from 21?C to 24?C. During the monsoon (July. August), it ranges from 19?C to 21?C. Winter season lasts from October to March and is cool and pleasant.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: Nearby Places

There are some tribal villages around Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, which are worth a visit. The tribal people are expert fishermen and farmers. Some are still engaged in the traditional practice of collecting honey of dangerous hill bees. They have built interesting tree dwellings. These dwellings do not signify a perched existence. Quite the contrary, they are comfortable watchtowers for taking note of any wild pig or elephant in the area that might ruin the cultivated fields. Near Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Kottayam (117 km) and the temple town of Madurai (140) km) should not be missed.

The Flora in the Periyar National Park

Some of the deeper valleys contain tropical evergreen forest with extremely thick tree cover that even bright sunlight finds hard to penetrate. These trees that have grown to amazing heights of up to 130-140 feet seems to having being there forever. The few level areas in the park contains marshy grasslands near the edges of the lake and other water bodies. Spread out across the park are also patches of semi-evergreen forest used as important cover by many of the animal species

The Ecological System in the Periyar National Park

The physiology of the Periyar National Park mainly comprises of the western ghat hills in various shapes and sizes. These thickly wooded hills are dominated by water bodies, vast grasslands and even thicker forest areas. The densely forested valleys are abound in wild vegetation and animal life. Other than the river Periyar, the park and main lake located in the centre of the park are watered by two other rivers, the Azhutha and the Mullayar.

When to visit

Elephant Safari In Periyar Widlife Sanctuary

Take a tour of the Periyar sanctuary on motor launches in search of wildlife and you'd be surprised with what you see. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the best elephant hub, any animal lover would love to check out. From the rooms of the forest rest houses provided by the Kerala forest department to the tourists within the vicinity Periyar, you can get a wide-screen view of the whole sanctuary.

Visiting the Lake Palace in Kerala's lake centered wildlife sanctuary of Thekkady, also referred to as the Periyar sanctuary is an experience to remember. When a Maharaja ruled this land, he had a dam thrown across the Periyar River. The backed up waters of the dam flooded a valley, partially submerging trees, leaving their bare trunk standing over their reflections like a Daliesque waterscape. Visitors put-put around this surreal lake in motor-launches, delight in spotting wildlife including herds of foraging wild elephant.

Periyar is, clearly, the safest elephant sanctuary in India, possibly in the world. Elephants have never been known to attack a tourist launch. This, in spite of the fact that elephants are at home in the water. Elephant, Wild Pig, Sambar and Guar are the four most popular animals with Thekkady's visitors. The smaller ones, however, are as interesting.