IDUKKI
DISTRICT
Periyar
Tiger Reserve: One of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries,
Thekkady is noted for its geomorphology, wildlife and beautiful landscape. This
sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978, Entry to the Periyar Wildlfie
Sanctuary: 0600-1800 hrs
Flora: Over 1800 flowering plants including 171 grass species. 143 species
of orchids. The only south Indian conifer Podocarpus Wallichianus grows here.
Fauna:
Mammals: 35 species including wild elephants, gaurs, langur, sambar deer
and wild boars that can be sighted from the boats, the Nilgiri tahr in the higher
rocky areas, the endangered lion tailed macaque confined to the evergreen interiors,
bonnet macque, Malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, tiger, jungle cat, sloth
bear etc.
Birds: 265 species including migrants. The hombill, stork, woodpecker,
kingfisher, raptor, darter, cormorant, grackle, cluster etc.
Reptiles: Cobra, viper, krait, a number of non poisonous snakes, bicoloured
frogs and crocodiles.
Pisces: The Periyar lake and streams have several species of fish including
the masher, the famous endangered game fish of India. The otter, the only mammal
of the lake, can be frequently spotted form the boat.
Plantations:
Tea, cardamom, cloves, vanilla, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, cumin, garlic, star
anise etc. Trekking trails: Mangaladevi hills, Mullakudy, Thannikudy, Vellimala
etc.
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary: (40 km from Thodupuzha)
Animals: Elephants, gaur, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tigers,
wild boars etc.
Birds: Jungle fowls, mynas, laughing thrushes, black bulbuls, peafowls,
woodpeckers, kingfishers etc.
Snakes: Cobras, vipers, Kraits and a number of non poisonous snakes.
Eravikulam National Park: (15 kms north of Munnar)
Main attractions:
Anamudi (2694 m), the highest peak south of the Humalayas, is on the southern
side of the park. This is one of the wettest areas of the world.
Fauna: Tigers, panthers, wild dogs, civet cats, jungle cats, sloth bears,
Nilgiri Langurs and wild boar. The atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the
world, is seen in the park. Half the world population of the endangered Nilgiri
Tahr live here (1317 of them according to the '91 census).
Visiting
time: 0700-1800 hrs. visitors are not allowed during the monsoon.
Nearby trekking trails: Palkulamedu, Parakulam, Kulamavu, Anaward, Painavu,
Anamudi.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary:
Main attractions: Elephants, gaurs, panthers, spotted deer, sambars, gizzled
gaint squirrels, Hanuman langurs, peacocks, star tortoises and Travancore evening
browns.
Best time to visit: Almost throughout the year except during Oct - Nov.
Visiting hours: 0700-1800 hrs.
Visitors are not allowed during the monsoon.
Trekking trails: Palapetty - Champakad, Okarimutty - Inchapetty, Karimutty
- Alampetty.
