Kerala Wildlife Sanctuaries

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

This is the northernmost sanctuary in Kerala, and at 55 sq km, is also one of its smallest. Located on the western slopes of the Western Ghats, it is next to the state farm at Aralam.

Established in 1984, the sanctuary is administered by the Wayanad division and headquartered at Iritty, a small town that lies 10 km to the east. The topography varies from 50 m at the foothills to the highest peak, Katti Betta, at 1,145 m. Copious rainfall, about 3,000 mm annually keeps the forested areas predominantly evergreen. There are vast tracts of teak and eucalyptus plantations as well. Not far from the sanctuary, flows the Aralam River.

A wide variety of flora can be found here. The fauna includes birds and animals endemic to the Western Ghats, such as deer, boar, bison and elephant. Jungle cats and leopards are found in smaller numbers.

Chimmini wildlife Sanctuary

Chimmini's wildlife sanctuary was established in 1984 adjoining to the Peechi-Vazhani sanctuary. Its dense tropical forests shelter a variety of flora and fauna such as elephants, sambars, gaurs, Malabar squirrels and sloth bears. The dam across the river offers some breathtaking views, making it a favorite picnic spot.

Chinnar wildlife sanctuary

The chinnar wildlife sanctuary is considered unique in the whole of the western chats due to its ecological geological and cultural importance. The grizzly giant squirrel is the star attraction here, as is the white bison, although to a lesser extent. Chinnar also has the richest reptilian fauna, in addition to a treasure trove of medicinal plants and an entire forest of sandalwood.

Contiguous to the Eravikulam National park and the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sancturay,the terrain of this park is highly undulating, with varying altitudes. Although it is located in the rain shadow area, nearly 1,000 species of flowering plants are found here.

Chinnar is also rich in avian diversity and the calls of 225 species of birds have been recorded in the sanctuary. Other animals found here include the spitted deer, rusty spotted cat, wild dog, barking deer, bonnet macaque, porcupine and the wild boar. Larger mammals include the sambar, gaur and the elephant. Trekking option abound.

Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a sanctuary set up for the preservation of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. The main inhabitant of the park is Nilgiri Tahr. Now the park has the largest known population of Tahr's existing in the world. The park also shelters Atlas Moth, Elephants, Sambhar's, Gaurs, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri, Langur, Tigers and Leopards.

Spread across an area of 97 sq. kms, the park exhibits the breathtaking natural splendor of rolling grasslands and exotic flowers. Anamudi, the highest peak south of Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The Atlas Moth, largest of its kind in the world, is a unique possession of the park.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Located at an altitude between 450 and 748 m above sea level, this sanctuary covers a total area of 105 sq km. Spread over the Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola taluks,it includes a 33-sq-km scenic lake formed by the three dams-Cheruthoni, idukki and kulamavu. A charming canopy of dense tropical evergreen forests, tropical semi-evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests fringe the lake that surrounds this protected area on three sides.

Wildlife found here include herds of elephants, tiger, barking deer, bear, wild boar, sambar, wild dogs, jungle cats, and a large concentration of various species of snakes, including cobra, viper, python, krait, and numerous non-poisonous ones. The sanctuary is home to a variety of bird species and the extensive reservoir here attracts a lot of aquatic birds, such as ducks and cormorants. Small groups of tribals, the Adivasis, dwell in the higher areas of the sanctuary. Visitors are taken around in boats. The best time to visit is from November to March.

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary

About Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary:The Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends 9.06 sq. km. The vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands. The Agasthyakoodam hill, 1890 metres high, lies in the premises of the sanctuary. Elephants, gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri tahr, jungle cat, wild boar, Nilgiri langur etc. are seen. A crocodile rearing centre, deer farm and lion safari park are the main attractions.The vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands. The Agasthyarkoodam hill, 1890 metres high, lies in the premises of the sanctuary.Declared as a sanctuary in 1958, it is the drainage basin for the Neyyar River and its tributaries - Mullayar and Kallar.

Wildlife in Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary:-Elephants, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Tahr, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Nilgiri Langur can be seen here.This sanctuary has a substantial natural vegetation cover. The diversity of its flora makes this sanctuary an ideal gene pool preserve.

Other Attractions:-A Crocodile Rearing Centre, Deer Farm and Lion Safari Park are the main attractions near the dam site.

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary

The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a reservoir of tranquil greenery ensconced in a valley between the Annamalai ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala. The areas hilly and rocky, drained by several rivers, including the Parambikulam, the Sholayar and the Thekkedy.

Thickly forested with stands of bamboo, sandalwood, rosewood and teak, the sanctuary has some marshy land and scattered patches of grassland.

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary,Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary Tamil Nadu,Parambikulam Sanctuary Tour Parambikulam was once home to some of south India's finest stands of teak. Little remains of the original teak forests, other than the famous Kannimari teak tree, the largest in Asia as most of these have now been replaced by teak plantations. The tree is about 5 km from Thunakadavu, and is one of Parambikulam's prime attractions.

Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary

Known to be one of the oldest wildlife reserves in kerala, this 125-sq-km sanctuary was established in 1958. Located 20 km east of Thrissur, it is contiguous with the forest areas of Nelliyampathy and Palappilly reserves, and shares a common boundary with the Chimmini Sanctuary. The undulating terrain varies from 45 to 900m.


Most of the sanctuary is covered by deciduous forests, but is also has some evergreen and semi-evergreen trees. There are endangered herbs and shrubs, rare medicinal plants, and innumerable varieties of orchids. Bird colonies too, are many.

Here, you can expect to spot the bonnet macaque, Nilgiri langur, tiger, leopard, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, Malabar giant squirrel, porcupine, small Indian civet, common palm civet, elephant, gaur, wild boar, sloth bear, and the wild dog.

The Forest Department organises outdoor activities that include overnight stays in tents, bamboo rafting, bird watching, butterfly safaris and trekking.

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary

The Peppeara Wildlife Sanctuary was set up primarily to augment the water supply of Thiruvananthapuram.When a dam was built across the Karamana River in 1983 to meet the increased water supply needs of the city, the Paruthippally range became the catchment area for the dam reservoir. The entire area making up the sanctuary drains into the Peppara Dam reservoir that spreads across nearly 5082 sq km.

Nestled in the Western Ghats, about 50 km from the city. It lies on the way to Ponmudi. The sanctuary actually consists of part of the Palode reserve and part of the Kottoor reserve. Apart from the dam and reservoir, forests, eucalyptus plantations and streams spread across 53 sq km.

Tigers, panthers, elephants, sambar and gaur can be seen here. The barking deer, mouse deer and the wild boar are also found. The lion-tailed macaque and the Nilgiri langur represent the simian species, whereas the king cobra and python represent the reptiles.

Periyar Tiger reserve

Located in the Periyar valley at Thekkady, this is the oldest and largest tiger reserve in kerala. Spread across the foothills of the southern western Chats, this 777-sq-km forestland is also home to the Asiatic elephant. A repository of rare and endangered flora and fauna, the valley is major watershed for two important rivers-the Periyar and the Pamba. The famous Sabarimala shrine and the Mangala Devi Temple are also situated in the region.


At the center of the reserve is the vast artificial lake created by a dam built by the British in 1895.Declared a sanctuary in 1950,the Periyar Reserve became part of Project Tiger, a Central Government initiative to protect the animal.

A combination of tropical, Deciduous and evergreen forests and grasslands make this an ideal home for 62 species of mammals, 320 species of birds, and 45 species of reptiles. There are numerous varieties of flowers and butterflies as well. A boat ride on the lake is a delightful way of spotting elephants and avifauna, for which the park is well known. If you are fortunate, you might even spot the pride of the sanctuary, the tiger. Although tiger sightings are not very common, there are enough of these magnificent felines around. Trackers routinely spot pugmarks.