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Periyar Tiger Reserve
One of the world's most
fascinating natural wildlife
sanctuaries, Thekaddy is noted
for its geomorphology, wildlife
and beautiful landscape. This
sanctuary was declared a Tiger
Reserve in 1978, Entry to the
Periyar Wildlfie Sanctuary:
0600-1800 hrs
Main attractions: Flora:
Over 1800 flowering plants
including 171 grass species. 143
species of orchids. The only
south Indian conifer Podocarpus
Wallichianus grows here.
Fauna: Mammals: 35
species including wild
elephants, gaurs, langur, sambar
deer and wild boars that can be
sighted from the boats, the
Nilgiri tahr in the higher rocky
areas, the endangered lion
tailed macaque confined to the
evergreen interiors, bonnet
macque, Malabar giant squirrel,
flying squirrel, tiger, jungle
cat, sloth bear etc.
Birds: 265 species
including migrants. The hombill,
stork, woodpecker, kingfisher,
raptor, darter, cormorant,
grackle, cluster etc.
Reptiles: Cobra, viper,
krait, a number of non poisonous
snakes, bicoloured frogs and
crocodiles.
Pisces: The Periyar lake
and streams have several species
of fish including the masher,
the famous endangered game fish
of India. The otter, the only
mammal of the lake, can be
frequently spotted form the
boat.
Plantations: Tea, cardamom,
cloves, vanilla, ginger,
turmeric, nutmeg, cumin, garlic,
star anise etc. Trekking
trails: Mangaladevi hills,
Mullakudy, Thannikudy, Vellimala
etc.
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
(40 km from Thodupuzha):
Main attraction: animals:
Elephants, gaur, sambar deer,
wild dogs, jungle cats, tigers,
wild boars etc. Birds: Jungle
fowls, mynas, laughing thrushes,
black bulbuls, peafowls,
woodpeckers, kingfishers etc.
Snakes: Cobras, vipers, Kraits
and a number of non poisonous
snakes.
Eravikulam National Park
(15 kms north of Munnar):
Main attractions: Anamudi (2694
m), the highest peak south of
the Humalayas, is on the
southern side of the park. This
is one of the wettest areas of
the world.
Fauna: Tigers, panthers,
wild dogs, civet cats, jungle
cats, sloth bears, Nilgiri
Langurs and wild boar. The atlas
moth, the largest of its kind in
the world, is seen in the park.
Half the world population of the
endangered Nilgiri Tahr live
here (1317 of them according to
the '91 census).
Visiting time: 0700-1800 hrs.
visitors are not allowed during
the monsoon.
Nearby trekking trails:
Palkulamedu, Parakulam, Kulamavu,
Anaward, Painavu, Anamudi.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Main attractions: Elephants,
gaurs, panthers, spotted deer,
sambars, gizzled gaint
squirrels, Hanuman langurs,
peacocks, star tortoises and
Travancore evening browns.
Best time to visit: Almot
throughout the year except
during Oct - Nov. Visiting:
0700-1800 hrs. visitors are not
allowed during the monsoon.
Trekking trails:
Palapetty - Champakad,
Okarimutty - Inchapetty,
Karimutty - Alampetty.
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