The tropical climate and unique topography of Kerala has produced a unique habitat for birds and animals and the wildlife parks and sanctuaries teem with life. In the space of less than 80 miles you can climb from sea level to the top of the Western Ghats where, at 6,000ft, you are in a climatic zone that belies your sense of what south India should be like. It is cool and refreshing and at times reminiscent of the English Lake District.
Kerala has a forest area of 11,125 sq km, which is almost 29 percent of the total land area of the state. There are Five National Parks and 13 wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala.
Periyar National Park, Thekkadey
Periyar National Park is situated in the hills of the Western Ghats. The centrepiece of the park is the 5,500-hectare Periyar Lake formed by the construction of a dam on the Periyar River in 1895. Along the fringes of the lake are marshy areas with tall grasslands. This is one of the richest habitats for 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 elephant with relative ease as well as Nilgiri Langur and the Liontail Macaque in higher areas. Periyar’s rich birdlife includes the Giant Hornbill, Cormorant, Darter, Osprey and Racket-tailed Drongo. Periyar has a few Nilgiri Thar (a rare mountain goat), good numbers of which may also be seen on a visit to nearby Eravikulam National Park near Munnar.
Eravikulam National Park, Munnar
Close to the hill station of Munnar in Idukki District, this area was originally established as asanctuary for the protection of the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus Hylocrius). Extending over an area of 97 sq km, Eravikulam National Park is the biggest National Park in Kerala. The endangered Nilgiri Tahr, the only wild goat found to the south of the Himalayas, is the attraction here. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1975 and was inaugurated as a National Park in 1978.
