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Situated within the confines of the Western Ghats in
the southern Indian state of Kerala, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve
is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world. In 1895, the
British undertook water resource management plans for the area and started
work on a dam and an artificial lake under the auspices of Col. J.
Pennycuick. The picturesque lake in the heart of the sanctuary was
originally 26 sq km but now spans an area of 55 sq km. This perennial source
of water, which initially led to the submersion of large tracts of
forestland, slowly attracted wild animals. It eventually resulted in the
adjoining forests being granted protection by the Maharaja of Travancore.
Post-1975 Periyar finds itself in the enviable position of being a national
park as well as a protected tiger reserve.
Periyar is a veritable paradise of elephants. Herds of playful wild
elephants have made Periyar Lake their favorite haunt for frolicking in the
water. Scores of them can be witnessed bathing and swimming here. The Indian
female elephants do not posses tusks like their African relatives. They are
also not as swarthy as their African counterparts. Other inhabitants of
Periyar include the leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri
langur (a primate), bonnet macaque, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur
(Indian bison), wild boar and sloth bear. There are approximately 40 tigers
in the area as per the latest reports. The tigers, along with the Nilgiri
tahrs (a kind of a wild goat), are elusive creatures. However, an early
morning visit, with luck on your side, could yield results
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HOW
TO REACH
Periyar is well connected by metalled road from the state capital of
Thiruvananthapuram (271 km), as well as the cities of Cochin (200 km),
Kottayam (117 km), and Madurai (140 km). The nearest major rail junction is
Kottayam. The nearest national airports are Cochin (200 km) and Madurai (140
km).
WHAT TO SEE
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady, one of southern India's major
sanctuaries, covering an area of 777 sq km of lush green tropical forests
and 26 sq km of artificial lake. Declared a tiger reserve in 1978, the
sanctuary is also the natural habitat of the elephant, bison, spotted deer,
sambar, bear, antelopes, reptiles etc. Colourful varieties of birds like the
Malabar grey hornbill, grey jungle fowl and the jungle myna can be seen
here; about 265 species, including migrants, can be spotted in the
sanctuary. One even finds dedicated bird watchers settling in for one or two
weeks of serious observations.
The sanctuary offers a different yet comfortable way of seeing animals via
boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife areas encircle. The area
around Thekkady is ideal for trekking while the drive to Thekkady itself is
enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich plantations
and thick jungles.
The sanctuary offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the animals via
boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife areas encircle and one
can sometimes find dedicated bird watchers setting in for one or more weeks
of serious observations.
The area around Thekkady is ideal for trekking. The major trekking trails
are Mangladevi hills, Mullakuddy, Thannikudy, Vellimala, etc. The drive to
Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds through tranquil
countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles.
Excursions
There are some tribal villages around Periyar, which are worth a visit. The
tribal people are expert fishermen and farmers. Some are still engaged in
the traditional practice of collecting honey of dangerous hill bees. They
have built interesting tree dwellings. These dwellings do not signify a
'perched' existence. Quite the contrary, they are comfortable watchtowers
for taking note of any wild pig or elephant in the area that might ruin the
cultivated fields. Nearby Kottayam (117 km) and the temple town of Madurai
(140) km) should not be missed.
WHERE TO EAT
There are few good restaurants in the city and you can also try the
restaurants at the luxury hotels
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