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Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Situated on an area of 777 square kilometers in the Cardamom hills region
of the Western Ghats the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest and
most frequented wildlife reserves in India. 350 square kilometers area forming
the core region was declared as a National Park in 1982. In 1895 a dam was built
across Periyar River to provide irrigation facilities in Tamil Nadu.
It is visited by the wildlife enthusiasts with a view to spotting tigers and leopards.
But sightings of these animals are all but assured. However, this place is ideal
for watching other animals in their natural habitat. Other animals include elephant,
wild pig, sambar, gaur, Malabar flying squirrel, stripe-necked mongoose and over
260 species of birds including blue-winged parakeet, Nilgiri wood pigeon, white-bellied
tree pie, laughing thrushes and flycatchers.
Located close to the border
of the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the park makes an ideal base to have a
sojourn while undertaking long journey across the Ghats between Madurai and the
coast. It's also a convenient place for excursion to the Cardamom hills, combined
with the well known pilgrimage center of the Sabarimala, a couple of tea factories,
spice plantations, and spectacular view of the forest waterfalls all of them a
stone's throw distance.
Situated at cool altitudes with temperatures
ranging between 15°C and 30°C, the park centers on a vast artificial lake The
Periyar Lake. In 1899, the forest around the Lake was declared as Periyar Lake
Reserve. In 1934 the sanctuary came to be known as Nellikkampetty Sanctuary. It
was included into the Tiger Project in 1979. Sambhar, Indian Bison and Wild Boar
are prey animals of Tiger. Cattle fringe area, however, forms the prey base.
Boat cruises on the lake are the best way to explore the park. There are
boat services, which will take you around the lake. You can also indulge in trekking
and elephant rides in the sanctuary. The tours to the natural world will be guided
tours.
Highlights
Nature Walk
- The guided day trek
Nature tours cover habitats of various species
of birds and animals and are usually 4 to 5 kilometers in length. Pass through
lush green woods of evergreen and moist deciduous forests. Tour timings are between
7.00 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. and between 2.00 pm. and 3.00 pm. A tribal guide accompanies
a group of approximately 5 persons.
The Periyar Tiger Trail - Adventure
trekking and camping
A team of former poachers conducts this programme.
There are 5 guides and 2 forest officials to guide the tour. They are now the
protectors of the forest. The team has a thorough knowledge of the terrain. Tour
guides tell adventurous store to add spice to the tour. Generally the programmes
are for 1 night / 2 days and 2 nights / 3 days. At 9 a.m. the tour begins to end
by noon in the second or third day. En route tourists will see the faunal species.
Vegetarian food is served and country tents are put up for a night stay. The authorities
at the Forest have laid some preconditions for joining the tour. Only medically
fit people between age group 15-65 are allowed to undertake the journey. The comforts
of luxury hotels will not be provided.
Border Hiking - Protection
oriented range hiking
Border Hiking is a conservation oriented hard trek
starting at 8 o' clock in the morning and ending in the evening. The tour covers
altitudinal ranges of 900 meters to 1300 meters. Maximum number of 10 tourists
can undertake the programme in two groups. Vegetarian food is served during the
tour.
Bamboo Rafting-Dawn to dusk range hiking
This programme
covers some of the finest passages of the forest. The Tour starts from 8 a.m.
At 5 p.m. in the evening, the team takes back the tourists to the boat. An armed
guard and 4 guides accompany the group consisting of 10 tourists. During the journey,
Tea, snacks and packed lunch will be served.
Jungle Patrol-Shepherding
the jungle
Every night, a team patrols in the fringe of ecodevelopment
zones of this jungle. Only the persons who do not have any fear of the night and
wilderness can undertake this tour. The tour can start at any time between 7 p.m.
and 4 a.m. Feel the primitive in you by using all your senses to keep yourself
protected from the nocturnal wildlife setting an eye on their prey. Only 8 visitors
can go in separate teams accompanied by an armed forest guard. The tour goes on
for three hours.
Tribal Heritage - A peep into the past
Mannans,
a tribal group inhabiting Periyar Tiger Reserve, is the oldest group of the reserve.
Till 1940's these people lived in remotest areas. Tribal Heritage Museum
Inside the Mannan settlement, a tribal heritage museum was built. The museum
features artifacts related to Mannan marriage ceremonies, agricultural practices,
dress code, cultural events, rituals and death ceremonies. Other attractions of
the museum are fishing gear, hunting weaponry, indigenous medicine and vessels,
cereals, medicinal herbs, bamboo furniture, etc. The guests are taken for a two-hour
tour to the Museum from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 4 pm.
Jungle
Inn - Jungle in the night
From the forest check post, at a walk of about
an hour, there is a forest cottage at Kokkara. The place can lodge two persons.
Check in / out timings are 3 p.m. and 9 a.m. the following day.
The
farmlands of a village hidden in the valley behind the mountains of Periyar Tiger
Reserve can be approached in a bullock cart. The village is also rich in bird
life. Farming is the oldest occupation of Indian culture. At this small village
the tourists will see vineyards, agricultural crops of onions, mangoes, sunflower,
tamarind, jasmine and a score of other vegetables.
The best time to
visit the Park is from December to April, when the dry weather entices animals
from the forest out to the lakeside. However, avoid the period immediately after
the monsoons, they are more likely to remain in the forest.
How
to Reach
Air: The nearest national airports are
Cochin (200 km) and Madurai (140 km).
Rail: The nearest major
rail junction is Kottayam.
Road: Well connected by bus service
to the major cities
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