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Peppara
Wildlife Sanctuary
Located 50 km northest of Thiruvanathapuram city in
Nedumanged taluk. The catchment ares of the Peppara Dam
constructed across the karamana River, wea declared a
Sanctuary in 1983. There are 13 tribal settlement in tha
sanctuary - 11 of them in the Athirumala section and 2
in the Thodayar section. The Sanctuary, which extends
across an area of 53 sq. km, is accessible from Vithura
on the Thiruvanathapuram - Ponmudi Road.
The major Wildlife Attraction : Elephant, gaur, barking
deer, wild boar, tiger, panther. Darter, egret. king
Corbra, python, Malabar squirrel, loin-tailed macaque,
mouse deer, Nilgiri langaur etc.
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Located 30 km northest of Thiruvanathapuram city. The
Sanctuary stretches from Neyyatinkara taluk to the
Mundanthuari Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. It is the
drainage basin of the Neyyar River and its tributaries -
Mullayar and Kallar - which originiate in
Agasthyarkoodam, the second highestpeak in Kerala (1868
m ). The Sanctuary wes established in 1958. Neyyar
Sanctuary is spread across a total area of 128 sq. km.
Major Wildlife attractions are Elephant, gaur, barking
deer, wild boar, Indian porcupine, tiger, bonnet
macaque, loin-tailed macaque, rat snake, flying snake,
viper, woodpecker, brahminy kit. grey jungle fowl, etc.
Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary
Located 66 km from Kollam town on the Kollam- Shencotta
Road. The Shenduruny forest was declared a wildlife
sanctuary in 1984. The name Shenduruny comes from an
endemic species of tree called Chenkuruky (Gluta
travancoria), mainly confined to this region. The
artificial lake formed by the Parappar Dam built across
the Shenduruny and Kulathupuzha rivers occupies the
central region of the Sanctuary. The sanctuary is
connected by road with Kollam town and Thiruvanthapuram
city and has an area of 100.32 sq. km. of which 26 sq.
km is occupied by the lake.
The major Wildlife attractions are Macaca radiata,
bonnet macaque, gaur, sambar, barking deer (muntjack),
wild boar, Indian giant squirrel, three striped palm
squirrel, lion-tailed macaque, mouse deer (Indian
chevrotian), Nilgiri langur, elephant, tiger, leopard
etc.
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Located in Idukki District, this is one of the most
prestigious regions on the high ranges of the Western
Ghats. One of the world's most fascinationg natural
wildlife sanctuaries, the Periyar Reserve is noted for
its gemorphology, diverse wildlife and beautiful
kandscape. The drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting as
the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich
plantations and thick jungles. The Sanctuary, declared a
Tiger Reserve in 1978 under the Project Tiger Scheme,
attracts travellers from all over the world. This is the
only sanctuary n India where the wild elephant can be
observed and photographed at close quarters. There are
two watch towers in the Periyar forest.
The entry point to the Reserve is Thekkady, which is
accessible by good roads from the airports of
Madurai(145 m), Kochi (190 km) and Thiruvananthapuram
(272 km). The Reserve has a total area of 777 sq. km.,
comprising of the core 350 sq. km., Periyar Lake,
occupying 26 sq km. and Evergreen forests covering 360
sq. km.
The major wildlife attractions are Wild Elephant, tiger,
panther, wild dog, gaur, Nilgiri tahr, peafowl, brahminy
kite and black-winged kite, darter, little cormorant,
kingfisher, black-necked stork, King cobra, viper,
krait, tortoise and crocodiles, masheer fish etc.
Eravikulam National Park
Located in Idukki district, 15 km north of Munnar.
Established in 1975 to protect the Niligiri Tahr, the
Eravikulam Sancturay was declared a National Park in
1978 considering its ecological, faunal, floral,
geomorphological and zoological significance. The park
is breathtakingly beautiful and comparable to the Alpine
ranges. This land of the Neelakurinji is 7 km from the
Rajmalai hills. The National Park is accessible from
Kochi and Kottayam by road and has an area of 97 sq. km.
The wildlife attraction are Tiger, panher and wild dog
are usually sighted in the open grasslands and
sholawoods. Civet cats and jungle cats live in sholas.
The sloth bear, Nilgiri langaur and wild boar are
generally found in the shola forests and their fringes.
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
Located 40 km from Thodupuzha town. Spread over the
Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district.
The Idukki arch dam, the first major hydrelectric
project in Kerala, is situated here. The 33 sq. km.
scenic around the sanctuary - the Idukki reservoir is
formed by the three dams Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu.
It has an area of 77 sq. km.
The major wildlife attractions are Elephant, deer, bear,
leopard, wild pig, Horbill, kingfisher, snake, Cobra,
viper, python.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the rain shadow regionof the Western Ghats,
the sanctuary occupies the forested region on either
side of the Marayoor - Udumalpet road. This is the
second habitat of the endangered giant grizzled squirrel
of India. The location of the sanctuary offers the
unique advantage of watching its fascinating wildlife at
close quarters fromt the road without venturing deep
into the jungle. The Marayoor sandal forest and the
beautiful Thoovanam waterfalls are located here. Area:
90.422 sq. km.
Wildlife attractions are Leopard, bear, porcupine etc.
The elephant is an occasional visitor, Indian roller,
cuckoo, common snipe, crow pheasant, jungle nightjar,
kite, grey jungle fowl, Indian hill myna, robin, jungle
babbler and darter, Python, cobra.
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