One of the most popular Sanctuaries in the South India, The Periyar Tiger Reserve is also called is Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Marked as a protected area and a Project Tiger nature reserve, it is set high in the mountains of the Western Ghats at the border to Tamil Nadu. It lies in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta. Spread across an area of 777 km, out of which a 350 km part of the core zone was made into the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. The park is dubbed as Thekkady, located four km from Kumily, approximately 100 km east of Alappuzha, 110 km west of Madurai and 120 km southeast from Kochi.
The Periyar protected area lies in the middle of a mountainous area of the fragrant Cardamom Hills. In the north and the east it is bounded by mountain ridges of over 1700 Meter altitude and toward the west it expands into a 1200 Meter high plateau. From this level the altitude drops steeply to the deepest point of the reserve-the 100 Meter valley of the Pamba River. The highest peak is the 2019 Meter high Kottamalai.
The sanctuary surrounds the picturesque 26 km Periyar lake, formed by the building of Mullaperiyar Dam in 1895. This reservoir and the Periyar River meander around the contours of the wooded hills providing a permanent source of water for the local wildlife.
Other than the Elephants, one can look forward to spotting some other animals in the Periyar tiger reserve like Barking Deer, Gaur, Mouse Deer, Wild Pigs, Sambar, Dole or Indian Wild Dog and very rarely, a Tiger. Four species of primates are found at Periyar - they are the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, the common Langur and the Bonnet Macaque. Periyar wildlife sanctuary also happens to be the habitat of the elusive Nilgiri Tahr, which is rarely seen.
The birdlife inside the Periyar sanctuary comprises of Darters, Kingfishers, Cormorants, the great Malabar Hornbill and racket-tailed Drongoes. The reptilian population in the park includes Monitor Lizards, which can be spotted basking in the sun
1895 - Construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam
1899 - Formation of the Periyar Lake Reserve
1933 - S.C.H. Robinson was made the first game warden
1934 - Formation of Nellikkampatty Game Sanctuary
1950 - Consolidation of Periyar as a Wildlife sanctuary
1978 - Declaration of Periyar as a Tiger Reserve
1982 - Preliminary notification of the core area as a National Park
2001 - Reorganised as two Divisions: Periyar East and Periyar West
The temperatures vary depending upon the altitude and it ranges between 15° Celsius in December and January and 31° Celsius in April and May. The annual amount of precipitation lies between 2000 and 3000 mm. About two thirds of the precipitation occurs during the southwest monsoon between June to September. A smaller amount of precipitation occurs during the northeast monsoon between October and December.
The Indian Rupee is the official currency of Periyar . Currency can be converted at the currency exchange counters at the Airport. Credit/debit cards are accepted in most of the larger hotels.
One would need to take a permit to enter Periyar from the Wildlife Information Centre in Thekkady. For foreigners, the permit costs Rs 50. There are additional charges for guide tours of the sanctuary and for boat trips. The foreigners need to have a valid Indian visa.
Jungle Track : Its a must to go for Jungle Track during the visit to the Periyar National Park. There are different kind of options available for the Jungle Track. One can opt for the night patrol with the forest guard through the Jungle and if one is not really that courageous, there are options available for the short track of 4 hours starting in the morning and afternoon.
During the track, the flora and fauna can be experienced from the close quarters and if one is lucky enough there are chances of sighting the bigger animals of the cat family.
Water Safari : One of the best ways to explore Periyar is going on a Water Safari where one can spot animals by the Periyar lake. There are lot of Elephants and one might just be able to catch them in playful moods as they bathe there and is an excellent way of sightseeing of wildlife in this sanctuary especially at dawn or dusk. The Pamba River flows on the western side of the reserve. The best way to see the sanctuary is by taking a ride on the manmade Periyar Lake. Entry fee Rs 12 Camera fee Rs 100 Vehicle entry fee Rs 5 to 25. Timings set from 6 am-6 pm
Forest Treks : Hiring a local guide would be the best way to enjoy trekking here as one ventures into the dense forests. It is advisable to take a Jeep to get dropped off by the lake and set on foot from there.
Cookery Demonstration : One not only gets to taste Kerala cuisine but also gets a chance to learn the authentic Kerala food. In some Hotels, the Chefs conduct cookery classes and they use the traditional earthenware pans and pots to make the delicious dishes.
Jeep and elephant safaris : This another adventurous way to venture out into the dense tropical forests and have a good look at the animal world
Mammals
Altogether 62 different kind of mammals have been recorded in Periyar, including many threatened ones. Though it's titled a tiger reserve, there are hardly any tigers left in the sanctuary. Tourists also come here to view the Indian elephants in the act of ablution and playfulness by the Periyar lake. The elephant number around 900 to 1000. Other mammals found here include gaur, sambar (horse deer), barking deer, mouse deer, Dholes (Indian wild dogs), mongoose and leopards. Also inhabiting the park though rarely seen, are the elusive Nilgiri tahr. Four species of primates are found at Periyar - the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, the common langur, and the Bonnet Macaque. Birds
So far 320 different kinds have been counted in Periyar. The bird life includes darters, cormorants, kingfishers, the great Malabar hornbill and racket-tailed Drongos. Reptiles
There are 45 different kind of reptiles in the protected area out of which there are 30 snake, two turtle, and 13 lizard species. Among those are Monitor lizards that can be spotted basking in the sun on the rocks along the lake shore. Visitors who trek into the Periyar national park often see a Python and sometimes even a King Cobra. Amphibians
Twenty seven different kinds have been recorded, of which ten are endemic to the Western Ghats. Fish
In the waters of the protected area 38 different types of fish live out of which four are endemic to the Western Ghats. In artificial lake there are two introduced species : the tilapia originally from Africa and the carps introduced from Europe . Insects
There is a remarkable variety of butterflies and there are about 160 different kinds in total. Some are dangerous enough to make a human seriously ill
Where To Eat: One can either choose from restaurants inside the Park or outside the Park. If camping within the Park, then most likely a cook will be provided but one has to carry grocery. The restaurants offer a platter of various cuisines apart from the authentic mouth watering Kerala delicacies. Where To Stay: There are accommodation options to suit all pockets. One can choose to make reservations inside the Park or outside the Park. The tariff for a single night ranges from Rs.150 at a State run Guest house to Rs.7000 at a luxurious hotel.
If you are an animal lover, then this is one place you must explore. The best time to visit the Periyar Tiger Reserve is between September and May. Avoid weekends when the park gets crowded.
By Air The nearest airport from Periyar is the CochinInternationalAirport and Madurai. WhileCochin is 140kms away from Periyar, MaduraiAirport is a 200 km drive from Peryiar
By Rail Periyar is welll connected to Kottayam, the nearest railhead. A well-laid network of railways connects Periyar to the major railway stations of South India and rest of the country.
By Road Periyar is also very well connected by road to most of the major cities in Kerala and South India. Kumily, the nearest town from Periyar wildlife sanctuary/ tiger reserve is well served by both state and private buses from Kottayam, Ernakulam and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.
