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Eranakulam
This sanctuary is famous for its Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered
animal. Actually this was set up specially for the
preservation of this Nilgiri Tahr. Now the number
of Tahrs has increased and they constitute the largest
known population of Tahrs existing in the world.
In
addition to Tahr, this park shelters is a good reserve
for elephants, sambars, gaurs, lion-tailed macaque,
Nilgiri languor, tigers and leopards.
Accommodation and board facilities are available at Munnar,
the nearest town, which is connected to Kottayam (148
km.) and Ernakulam (130 km.) by road. There is a motor
able
road upto Rajamally. Further, travel is on foot, but
the trekking is really enjoyable
Silent Valley
The Silent Valley contains India’s
last substantial stretch of tropical evergreen rain forests
and it is
perhaps the only vestige of a near virgin forest in the
whole of
the Western Ghats. Elephants, tigers, wild dog, flying
squirrel and lion-tailed macaque are found here. Vehicular
traffic is allowed upto Mukkali from Mannarghat. From
Mukkali one has to cover at least 24 km on foot
to reach the source of river Kuntipuzha, which flows
through
the valley. Nearest railhead is Palghat, 75 km away. Admission to
this part is restricted. Prior permission is required
to visit
the part. For further detail contact: The Divisional
Forest Officer, Palghat
Parambikulam National Park
This bird sanctuary is by the side of branches of River
Periyar. The rivers are rich in fishlife and are abundant
of water for most of the year. The avifauna includes both
resting indigenous birds and water birds. The most notable
of the indigenous birds are Malabar grey hornbill, grey
jungle fowl, heron, egret, jungle myna, wood pecker, rose
winged and blue winged parakeet. Rare birds like Ceylon
frog-mouth, rose billed roller etc. are also seen. Parambikulam
is endowed with luxuriant vegetation. The most noted animals
located here are gaur (bison). Sambar, spotted deer, jungle
cat, lion-tailed macaque, common otter, sloth bear etc.
are also seen. There are also a few tigers and leopards.
Facilities for boarding and lodging are available at the
sanctuary. There are forest rest houses at Thunacadavu,
Thellikkal and Elathode. Motor transport and boat cruise
can be arranged on request The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary
of Tamil Nadu lies adjacent.
Peppara National Park
Peppara is accessible from Vithurai on Thiruvananthapuram
Ponmudi road. This sanctuary with its rich fauna and birds
is emerging as a big attraction to wildlife enthusiasts.
It is spread over an area of 53 Sq. km. on the Western
Ghats. This is dotted with large hills and numerous hillocks
with forests and Eucalyptus plantations. Elephant, Sambar,
Leopard and Lion tailed macaque are commonly seen
Nagarhole National Park
Accessibility of this sanctuary is 40 km from Mananthavady.
There are no bus services to Nagarhole from Mananthavady,
only jeeps and trucks are available. There is a PWD Rest
House, Forest Rest House and Forest Inspection Bungalow
at Mananthavady. The reservation authorities are the
District Collector, Waynad and the DFO, Mananthavady.
There are
also mid range hotels and an Indian Coffee House here.
From Cannanore, Tellicherry and Calicut there are frequent
buses to Mananthavady
Periyar National Park
Covering an area of 777 sq. km. of lush green tropical
forests, it is the natural habitat of elephant, bison,
spotted deer, sambar, bear etc. 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. In addition to the
wild life, there are water and land birds galore here,
and one can sometimes find dedicated bird watchers setting
in for one or two weeks of serious observations.
Colorful variety of birds like the Malabar Grey Hornbill,
Grey jungle fowl and the Jungle Myna are seen.
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