Around 32 km from Thiruvananthapuram, one comes across 12,000 hectares of natural vegetation in the form of the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It offers a rare chance to view flora and fauna alongside numerous trekking options. People love going up the 1868m high Agasthyamala Peak which is a famous picnic spot as well. The exotic view should not be missed at any cost as the fragile slopes and flat meadows make for an enchanting sight.
The Neyyar Dam nearby is also famous due to its many features, chief amongst them being a picturesque picnic spot for families, friends and solo-travellers alike. It boasts of a beautiful Watch Tower, a Deer Park, a Lion Safari Park and a Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre as well.
There are 39 species of mammals, including tiger, leopard, sloth bear, elephant, sambar, barking deer, bonnet macaque, Nilgiri langur and Nilgiri tahr. 176 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles, 17 species of amphibians and 40 species of fishes are reported from the sanctuary. A crocodile farm, set up in 1977 at Neyyar, is home to around 20 mugger crocodiles. The Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre was inaugurated at Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in May 2007.Neyyar Elephant Rehabilitation Centre complex within the area cares for several elephants, from elephant calves to an 87-year-old elephant, and offers elephant rides and elephant feeding. There is also a deer rehabilitation centre.
The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the southern state of Kerala in India is spread over the southeast corner of the Western Ghats, and covers a total area of 128 km2 (49 sq mi). Although it was declared as a sanctuary in 1958, not much was done about wildlife conservation, until 1985, when a separate wildlife wing was set up and as a result, conservation efforts have gathered momentum. It is part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.
This is the drainage basin for the Neyyar River and its tributaries – Mullayar and Kallar. The towering peak of Agasthyamalai at an elevation of 1868 meters is a very prominent landmark. The mean summer temperature is around 35 degrees Celsius and the winter being around 16 degree Celsius. The average rainfall from the Southwest monsoon between May and July and the Northeast monsoon between October and November, is about 2800 mm. The tourist season here is between the months of November and March.
This sanctuary has a substantial natural vegetation cover. The diversity of its flora makes the sanctuary an ideal gene pool preserve. One can avail boating facilities at the reservoir which provides for a beautiful panoramic view of the area.
Getting there
Nearest railway station: Neyyattinkara Railway Station, 20 km
Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, 40 km
