|  Wild Life
Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary
The wild Indian elephant. Feast your eyes on the most exotic wildlife.
Gallop with the deer. Sing a chorus with blue winged parakeet. Kiss
a dewdrop from a leaf blade. And chatter with a monkey. Yes, the
forests of Kerala are just wonderful to visit. The Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary is located in Thekkady, one of India's leading sanctuaries.
This renowned tourist destination is in an area demarcated for the
`Project Tiger' campaign of by the Government of India. The ride
to Thekkady itself is full of glorious sights as the road winds
through tranquil countryside, stimulating spice plantations and
deep jungle.
At
Periyar, you can go on a boat ride on the man- made lake, which
encircles wildlife areas. During the ride, you can witness wildlife.
You can spot Bison, Sambar bear, elephant, spotted deer, etc. Thekkady
covers an area of 777 sq. km. of lush green tropical forests containing
a variety of rare plant species. This is also an ideal place for
an enthusiastic bird watcher.
Reaching Thekkady
Thekkady is about 115 km from Kottayam. There are Bus services to
Kumily from Kottayam from KSRTC bus stand and the Nagampadom Private
bus stand. The journey takes about 4 hours. Thekkady is 4 km from
Kumily. The forest department runs a bus service to the sanctuary
from Kumily. Walking or cycling is also a rewarding alternative.
Eravikulam National Park
The Eravikulam National Park was established for the preservation
of Nilgiri Tahr, one of the seriously endangered animals and it
now has the largest known population of Tahr existing in the world.
The park is 130 km away from Ernakulam and 148 km away from Kottayam.
In addition to Tahr, the park is rich in fauna like the Elephants,
Sambars, Gaurs, Lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Tiger, Barking
deer and Leopards. One can ride upto Rajamally where the road ends.
One has to treck the rest of the way.
One
of the most interesting and rewarding sight is the flowering of
the blue Neelkurinji flowers on the hillsides. Unfortunately, this
flower blooms only once in 12 years and the next bloom is expected
only in 2006 AD.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Parambikulam is blessed with valuable plant and animal life. It
lays adjacent to the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary of Tamilnadu.
The forest has the largest population of gaur – which is the
main attraction of this place. Sambars, spotted deer, jungle cat,
lion tailed macaque, cammon-otters and sloth bear inhibit these
forests. Parambikulam shelters a few tigers and leopards too
One
can stay at the forest rest houses at Thanakadavu, Thellickal, and
Elathode. Advance permission has to be taken from concerned forest
officer to stay here. Motor transport and speedboat cruise can be
arranged on request. The lake tucked in the lap of Western Ghats
is a perfect place for a romantic ride.
Nelliampathy
Nelliampathy, just 75 kms drive from Palghat, is blessed with a
rich population of elephants, Bison and Hill Squirrels. This high
range hamlet is charming with its thick evergreen forests, tea and
orange plantations. The Nelliyampathy hills comprise a chain of
ridges cut off from one another by valley of dense evergreen forests.
Seetha kund and kesavanpara are interesting spots in Nelliyampathy.
Travel
from Palaghat to Nelliyampathy is highly satisfying as you covers
a dozen hairpin curves through the jungles of sahya mountain ranges.
Pothundi reservoir 17 kms from Palaghat in Nelliyampathy route is
an ideal stop over.
Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary
This calm and quiet wildlife sanctuary is 40 km from Mananthvady.
It is accessible only jeeps and trucks which are available from
Mananthvady. You stay at rest house from district forest officer,
Mannanthavady.
Nagarhole
is ideal for those interested in herbal medicine. The hill ranges
here are the abode of some unique indigenous tribals of Kerala.
There
is an excellent fishing camp at Kabini River Lodge in the park.
Masher fishing is a popular and exciting sport.
|
