Wildlife - Tour in Periyar National Park
Location : Situated in the hills of the Western Ghats in the state of Kerala.
Area : 777 sq km.
Best Time to Visit : October to June.
Climate : The temperature at the Periyar National Park during summers (April-June) ranges from 21°C to 24°C. During the monsoon (July-August), it ranges from 19°C to 21°C. Winter season lasts from October to March and is cool and pleasant.
Access: Air: Kochi is the nearest airport at a distance of 190 km from the Periyer Sanctuary. Rail: The nearest railway station is Kottayam (114 km).
Introduction : Situated in the hills of the Western Ghats in the state of Kerala, this sanctuary is one of the 16 Project Tiger Reserves in India. The picturesque lake in the heart of the sanctuary was originally 26 sq km but now spans an area of 55 sq km. This lake is the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, gaur, sambhar and even tigers can be spotted here. Thus a number of visitors are attracted to the Periyar National Park every year to see the animals in there natural habitat.
Wildlife Species : Periyar is famous for its pachyderm population, which is around 700 in number. Infact Periyar is the place where elephants can be seen in there natural surroundings. Other wildlife species found here are the bulls, gaur, wild pigs, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, dhole (Indian wild dog) and very rarely, a tiger, Nilgiri tahr can also be spotted here, the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur, common langur and bonnet macaque.There are, now, an estimated 40 tigers here. Periyar’s rich birdlife includes the giant hornbill, cormorant, darter, osprey and racket-tailed drongo. The Indian Python and King Cobra are among the reptilian fauna.
Flora : The forests are tropical, a mixture of deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen ‘sholas’, the last occurring in the moist valleys and characterised by tall trees and a closed canopy. The forests alternate with extensive patches of grasslands. Safari : Jeep and elephant are conducted inside the park. One can also take the boat ride to watch the wildlife here.