Periyar Sanctuary is the best sanctuary in India for watching and photographing elephant at close quarters. This sanctuary takes its name from the river Periyar,the second largest river in Kerala . When a dam was constructed across the Periyar River by the erstwhile Madras Government in 1895 for irrigation, the water spread filled the valleys forming a many-armed lake with creeks and small islands. The unextracted trees still stand dead in the lake like fossils holding their branched trops above water serving as a perch for darters, the most common aquatic bird in the sanctuary.
INCEPTION The Periyar Sanctuary owes its birth to the innovative interest of Sri Chithira Thirunal Maharaja of the former Travancore State. Realising the importance of wild life conservation the Maharaja appointed Mr.S.C.H.Robinson as the first Game Warden in 1933. Based on his recommendation the forest around the lake was constituted as a sanctuary, called Nelliampatty Sanctuary in1934. In 1950 the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was formed by adding the remaning portion of Periyar lake reserve, Rattendon Valley an area of 777sq.km. In 1978 the Periyar Sanctuary was declared as a Tiger Reserve under the Project Tiger.
GEOGRAPHIC LAYOUT The Periyar Sanctuary is in Idukki district and forms part of the high ranges of the WesternGhats. The topography of the sanctuary is undulating. In the east along the State boundary and also in the south-west portion the land drops precipitously. Vellimala is the higest peak in the sanctuary is about 26sq.km in extent. The maximum depth near the dam is 46m when the lake is full.
CREDIBLE FEATURES The vistas of Periyar Sanctuary with its lake, creeks, islets and peninsulas from a natural kaleidoscope in different shades of green and blue. The vegetation varies from grasslands to tropical wet evergreen forests. The principal species are elephant grass in the grasslands and Terminalia paniculata in the moist deciduous and semi evergreen forests. Bambusa bambos occurs in patches especially along water courses and in moist localities. Plantations of Eucalyptus grandis have been established in about 55 sq.km of the sanctuary since 1962 . The varied habitat in the sanctuary supports a number of species of terrestrial and arborial animals . The Indian (Asiatic)elephant is the chief attraction. As per 1983 census there are 932 elephants in the sanctuary.From boats visitors can closely watch the wild elephants coming down to the lake in herds or in small groups. Lone bulls are not uncommon.Periyar is acclaimed to be the best place in the world for studying all aspects of elephantine life.
Other common animals with their latest population survey figures are: Wild boar 500, Sambar 452, Porcupine 450, Giant squirrel 150, Gaur 100, Barking deer 50, Mouse 50,Tiger 41, Black napped hare 20,Leopard 15, Nilgiri langur of 170 troops, Wild dog of 50 packs, Lion tailed macaque of 11 troops, Bonnet macaque of 10 troops.
Acquatic bird life is rather poor apparently because the water in the lake is deep. The common acquatic birds are the Indian darter and black necked stork. Other important birds are the great Indian horn bill, brahminy kite,little cormorant,pied king fisher and wood pecker. Of reptiles, both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes including the king cobra are found in fairly good numbers. Tortoises may often be seen basking on the rocks close to the banks. Otters are usually found around Edapalayam.
The facilities and ease with which wildlife can be viewed at extremely close quarters while having a cruise in the lake make Periyar one of the best sanctuaries in the country. The headquarters and place of entry is Thekkady which is accessible by good roads from the airports of Maduri(145km),Trivandrum(272km)and Cochin(190km).The nearest rail heads are Kottayam(115km) on the Ernakulam-Trivandrum line and Theni on the Madurai-Bodinaickanure line.
Hotel accommodation is available in and around Thekkady. Aranya Nivas Hotel (continental style)Edapalayam Lake Palace (continental style) and Periyar House (Indian style) are three hotel establishments run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, a Government of Kerala undertaking. All these hotels are within the sanctuary limits and set amidst picturesque settings.
Visitors,who prefer to stay deep inside the forest for thrill or research can stay in the Forest Rest Houses at Manakavala, Mullakudi or Thannikudy. All these rest houses are two roomed with watch towers nearby. The sanctuary is open throughout the year.But the best season is from September to May as is the case with all other sanctuaries of Kerala State.
For Further Intimation Contact:
The Field Director Project Tiger,
Kanjikuzhi,
Kottayam. |
