Saddled in the southern region of the Western Ghats, spread across an area of 777 sq. km of forest land and home to a luxuriant collection of different species of flora and fauna is the P eriyar Tiger Reserve. This spectacular stretch of greenery gets its name from the River Periyar which has its origin deep inside the reserve. The reserve also offers a host of eco-tourism programmes to the travellers.
For centuries, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady has been host to the most exquisite flora and fauna in the country and nature lovers throng to it in great numbers. Famous for its rustic and refreshing climate along with a bird’s eye view of a multitude of life
forms, it is among the best tourist spots in God’s Own Country.
The major tree species are Vateria indica, Dipterocarpus indicus, Cullenia excelsa, Palaquium ellipticum, Artocarpus hirsute, Salmalia malabarica, Hopea parviflora, Tetrameles nudiflora, Terminaliasp, Tectona grandis, Pterocarpus marsupium, Anogeissus latifolia, Careya arborea, Emblica officianalis etc. The mahor grass species are Cymbopogon sp. Saccharum etc.
62 species of mammals, 315 sp. of birds, 45 species of reptiles,
16 species of amphibians and 38 species of fishes are reported from the sanctuary
Elephant, Gaur,Tiger,Panther,Sambar, barking deer, Wildboar, Sloth bear, Nilgiri langur, Liontailed macaque, Otter, Malabar iant squirrel, Wild dog etc are the major mammals
Getting there
By Road: Thekkady is the nearest Town
By Rail: 110 km from Kottayam Railway Station
By Air: 190Kms from Cochin International Airport
