Periyar wildlife sanctuary
Around four km from Kumily and 100 km from Kottyam in Kerala is located the protected area and natural reserve, periyar wildlife sanctuary. This protected area is spread over an area of 925 km² in the mountainous region of Cardamom hills. Periyar has a core zone of about 350 Km² which is known worldwide as Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. This park is also known as Thekkady Sanctuary locally. The permanent source of water for this national park and tiger reserve is the river Periyar. This place also has a dam called Mullaperiyar Dam, built in year 1895 that nourishes a 26 Km² lake as well.
Flora and fauna
The most of the part of Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is covered with evergreen and semi evergreen rain forests. In tree species it has Vateria Indica, Hopea parviflora, Bischofia javanica, Eucalyptus and apart from this there are angiosperms, gymnosperms and around 170 species of ferns that are found in periyar wildlife sanctuary. Several varieties of Orchids, sweet grass and Fabacea are also found here. In fauna, around 62 varieties of mammals including tigers, elephants, barking deer, moose deer, Nilgiri Tahr mountain goat, bison, Sambar, Langur etc can be seen here. periyar wildlife sanctuary and Tiger Reserve also has 320 avian species, 45 reptile species, 38 varieties of fishes and huge number of reptiles and more than 160 species of butterflies.
Activities
Tiger Trailing is the most exciting and the most adventurous activity people enjoy in this national park. You can go for elephant safari and encounter the wildest of the beasts in the jungle. Boat ride in Periyar Lake is another experience that you are going to have here. Do not miss bamboo rafting and cruising through the lake with submerge trees in it. Early morning Bird watching is again really exciting thing as you can spot more than 320 species of birds in Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve itself.
How to reach ?
» By Air - The nearest airport from periyar wildlife sanctuary and Tiger Reserve is in Kochi which is at a distance of 190 Km away from it. Next airport is at a distance of 200 km which is in Madurai.
» By Rail - The nearest rail head is in Kottayam which is about 114 km far and links Periyar to other important cities in South India.
» By Road -Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is well connected by road network. You can easily get public and private bus services for Periyar.
Best time to visit
Period between the months of October and March is the most preferred time to visit Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. Summers are also good time to enjoy the boat ride and other water fun activities here.
