Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

Area: 777 sq. km.
Core: 350 sq. km.
Buffer: 427 sq. km

Established : 1950 as a sanctuary, 1978 as a tiger reserve.

About Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar National Park is situated in the hills of the Western Ghats in the state of Kerala in SW India. The centre piece of Periyar National park is the 5,500-hectare Periyar lake formed by the construction of a dam on the Periyar river in 1895.The dam submerged low-lying forest whose dead tree trunks still jut out of the waters. Along the fringes of the lake are marshy areas with tall grasslands. This is one of the richest habitats of large mammals, as it provides both excellent cover and nourishment in the form of succulent shoots and grasses. Here it is possible to see large herds of Indian Elephant with relative ease as well as Nilgiri Langur near Aranya Niwas and the Liontail Macaque in higher areas.

The forests are tropical, a mixture of deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen 'sholas', the last occurring in the moist valleys and characterised by tall trees and a closed canopy. The forests alternate with extensive patches of grasslands. Periyar's rich bird life includes the Giant Hornbill, Cormorant, Darter, Osprey and Racket-tailed Drongo. The Indian Python and King Cobra are among the reptilian fauna. Periyar has a few Nilgiri Tahr, good numbers of which may also be seen on a day excursion to nearby Eravikulam National Park near Munnar.

Main flora found in Periyar

Periyar Widllife Sanctuary boasts a quite rich and diverse flora. The flora in Periyar National Park chiefly comprises of Tropical Evergreen forests (30,500ha) and Semi-evergreen forests (27,500ha) around the reservoir, and Moist-deciduous forests and Woody grasslands in the central part of the park.

The major flora in the park include the Teak, Rosewood, Terminalia, Eucalyptus, Sandalwood, Jacaranda (a hardwood timber tree with purple flowers), Mango, Jamun, Tamarind, Banyan, Pipal, Plumeria, Gulmohar and Bamboo among many others. The thick vegetation of the Periyar wildlife sanctuary provides both excellent cover and nourishment in the form of succulent shoots and grasses.

Other General Information on Periyar Sanctuary

Longitude: 76°57' and 77°25' E
Latitude: 9°16' and 9°36' N
Altitude: 100m. to 2016 m. above msl.
Rainfall: 2500 mm.
Temperature: Minimum: 15°C, Maximum: 31°C

Season

Monsoon: Southwest and Northeast monsoon with maximum rainfall in July and minimum in January.
Summer: April-May
Winter: December-January

Access

Fly to Cochin and drive to Periyar (200 km). The nearest railway station is Kottayam (114 km).

Hotels & Resorts in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Icons Summary Restaurant Internet Service Tea/Coffe Machine Business Centre Swimming pool Travel Desk Doctor on Call Baby Sitting Health club Bar Safe Deposit Amphitheatre Library Std/Isd Money Exchange

Spice Village Hotel
	Set in the heart of the Cardamom hills of Kerala, Spice Village is an unprecedented tourist destination, offering a rare opportunity to enjoy South India's wildlife & Beauty.

Taj Garden Retreat
	Taj Garden Retreat is located at a distance of 140-kms from Kochi airport and neighbours the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Lake Palace Hotel
	Flora and fauna that never cease to surprise, that is Thekkady for you. And introducing you to the mystery and adventure of the jungle is Lake Palace.

Hotel SN International
	Hotel S.N International is located in the heart of Thekkady, Kumily, on the K.K Road and within minutes from the business area and the bus station.

Aranya Niwas
	Aranya Niwas is a KTDC Enterprise, a wildlife resort with 3-star facilities set in the middle of the fantastic Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Deep inside the dense, green woods, perched on the banks of the Periyar Lake is Aranya Nivas.

Cardamom County

Wildernest Resort

Hotel Ambadi

Hotel Treetop

Silver Crest Resort

Woodlands Prime Castle

Wildlife in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar National Park is home to a unique and diverse wildlife. The major wildlife found in the Periyar National Park includes Asian Elephants, Tigers, Gaurs, Sambars, Lion-tailed Macaques, Nilgiri Langurs, Wild Boars, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Wild Dogs, Sloth Bears, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Civet, Nilgiri Tahr to name a few. The Periyar National Park also has a sizable population of birds. Over 260 species of birds have been spotted in the park. The list of major species of birds found in the Periyar National Park include the Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, Black-winged Kite, Blue-winged Parakeets, Great Indian Hornbill, White-bellied Tree Pies, Laughing Thrushes, Fly Catchers, Darters, Cormorants, Barbets and Plovers among many others.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Travel Information

General Information

Location : Kumily, Kerala, India

Area : 777 sq. Kms.

Established : 1950 as Sanctuary, 1978 as a Tiger Reserve.

Climate : The temperatures vary depending upon the altitude and it ranges between 15° Celsius in December and January and 31° Celsius in April and May. The annual amount of precipitation lies between 2000 and 3000 mm. About two thirds of the precipitation occurs during the southwest monsoon between June to September. A smaller amount of precipitation occurs during the northeast monsoon between October and December.

General Info : After heavy rains, chances of good wildlife sightings are very slim as the animals only come to the lake, when water sources inside the forest have dried up

How to Reach Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

By Air : Kochi (Cochin) at 200-kms or Madurai in Tamil Nadu at140-kms is the nearest airports from Periyar.

By Rail : Kottayam at 114-kms is the nearest railhead from Periyar.

By Road : Kumily, the nearest town from Periyar is well served by both state and private buses from Kottayam, Ernakulam and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.