periyar

The Periyar tiger reserve is one of the most popular regions on the high ranges of the Western Ghats. It is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries and is noted for its geomorphology, diverse wildlife and beautiful landscape. As you drive to this sanctuary the road winds through countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles. The sanctuary, declared a tiger reserve in 1978 under the project Tiger Scheme, attracts travellers from all over the world. This is the only sanctuary in India where the wild elephants can be observed and photographed at close quarters. There are two watchtowers in the Periyar forest. The Periyar lake was formed by the construction of the dam across the Mullaperiyar river in 1895. A boat cruise on the lake is the best way to watch the wildlife in the reserve.

The vegetation here consists of over 1800 flowering plants including 171 grass species and 143 species of orchids. The only South Indian conifer podocarpus wallichianus grows here. The wildlife population consists of 35 species of mammals including the Wild Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Wild Dog, Gaur, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Lion-Tailed Macaque, Civet, Leopard, Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur etc. The reptile population consists of King cobra, Viper, Krait, a number of non-poisonous Snakes, bicoloured Frogs, Tortoise and Crocodiles. Avifauna - 265 Species including Migrants. The great Indian Hornbill, Peafowl, Brahminy kite and black-winged Kite, aquatic birds Like Darter, Little Cormorant, Kingfisher, Black-necked stork etc.