KERALA – WILD LIFE AND NATURE

This popular picnic spot is situated about 30KM east of Tiruvananthapuram, the state capital. The dam was built in the year 1958 mainly for irrigation purposes. There is also a beautiful lake, where boating facilities are available. The dam is at the basin of the three rivers- Neyyar, Mullayar and Kallar, at the foot of the Western Ghats. There is a crocodile farm and Lion Safari park. In the surrounding jungles, sambar deer and wild elephants are found. Wild dogs, Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri languor, wild bears and monkeys are  the other animals inhabiting these jungles.

Lakidi is one of the highest points in Wayanad district. The place is about 700 meters above sea level. From here one gets a panoramic view of the mountain ranges, the streams and rivulets and the valley deep down. From here on the way to Vythiri, there is the fresh water lake known as Pookote lake. This lake is surrounded by green forests. A walk around the lake gives the perfect tranquillity and solitude that Willim Wordsworth would consider as absolute bliss.

Extending over 53 square kilometres, Peppara wildlife sanctuary is in the catchment area of Peppara  Dam. This dam is built on river Karamana and has a water surface of nearly 5.8 Sq.KM. With streams, rocky terrain, thick forests the site appeals to those seeking some adventure! There are also Euclayptus plantations. The forest is habitat for elephants, sambar deer, leopard, lion-tailed macaque and cormorant. Bird-watchers get to watch here not only cormorant, but also egrets, darters, black-bellied black-bellied terns, spoonbills, ducks, geese, pheasants, little spiderhunters, frogmouths, quails, jacanas, plovers, curlews, gulls, sandgrouse, parrots, trogons, warblers, hoopoes, bee-eaters, rollers, larks, woodpeckers, barbets, swallows and other birds.

Ponmudi is considered as the most beautiful hill station of Kerala. It is about 60 KM south of Thiruvananthapuram and quite close to the sea. The hill is more than 3000 feet above sea level. Ponmudi in Malayalam literally means, ‘Golden Crown’.There are dense forests at the foot of this hill range. The road leading to the top goes through a thick growth of foliage and then through small streams and lush green environments and tea and cardamom plantations. Beautiful varieties of butterflies and a wide range of mountain flowers add to the scenic beauty of this hill station. This is a favourite place for trekking.

The Backwaters Kerala are one of the maor attractions for tourists going to Kerala. The lush green landscape surrounding the backwaters and the network of lagoons, canals, lakes, islands, bridges and the rivers that form the backwaters are unique features in the wild and ever fresh gift of Nature to Kerala. The backwaters have got ecological, commercial  and scenic significance and relevance to this State. The backwaters have been formed over the years by the action of the waves and the shore currents creating small barrier islands at the mouths of many rivers that flow down westwards from the Western Ghats to mingle in the Arabian Sea. South to North, along the coast lands, this network of backwaters runs to more than 200KM. Five large lakes, connected by the canals, and nearly 40 rivers feeding the system make this one of the largest interlinked waterway- nearly 900 KM. There are several towns along the system, and large and varied flora and fauna surrounding this network. These towns are linked by national waterways that are extensively used by tourists and also for cargo movement. Trivandrum, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kochi, Kottayam are all towns linked by these waterways. Crabs, frogs, mudskippers and water birds like terns, kingfisher, darters, cormorants and sea animals like otter, turtle are all part of the eco system sustained by the Backwaters. Vembanad, India;s largest lake is part of  backwaters network. Backwaters have given Alappuzha area of Keral the name “Venice of the East.”

Kerala’s house boats in the back waters, known locally as kettuvallams are a main attraction for the tourists. There are cruises on these house boats lasting from a few hours to  two days. The backwaters are being used for transportation, agriculture and fishing. Many towns of commercial significance like Beypore lie along the network of backwaters.

This fast growing tourist town is on the eastern bank of Vembanad lake. There is a bird sanctuary where many migratory birds arrive every year. The place is full of paddy fields and coconut groves. Arundhati Roy’s novel, ‘God of Small Things’ is set in the village Ayemenem, adjoining Kumarakom.

Periyar National Park and The Tiger Reserve are on the banks of Periyar lake, spread over 777 Sq.KM of ever green forests. This area is in the Idukki district of Kerala and partly in Pathanamthitta district. The Park and the Tiger Reserve, generally known as Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary occupy 350 Sq.KM of the protected area. The park is also known as Thekkady. The sanctuary lies around Periyar lake, that is formed by the Mullaperiyar dam, constructed in 1895. The park is located about 120 KM south east of Cochin and around 100KM east of Alappuzha. On the eastern side the western ghats run to the height of 1700 meters. After a 1200 meter high plateau towards the east, there is a steep valley going down to Pamba river. Almost three-fourth of the protected area is ever green forests, with typical tropical trees growing upto 50 meters. The rest of the area has lush green  grass lands, eucalyptus plantation and rubber, coffee, tea, cardamom and pepper plantation.

This is also the best elephant sanctuary in India. Other wild animals that are found here are leopard, tiger, spotted deer, sambar, gaur and a variety of water birds, dholes, Nilgiri Tahr and mongoose. Including King Cobra and python more than 45 varieties of reptile live here.

Crusoe Islands, Manakavala, Mullakudi, Thanikkudi are all other places worth visiting in the vicinity of Periyar Wifldlife Sanctuary

This is built across the kuravan kurathi hills. Idukki Arch dam is Kerala’s first Arch dam and the world’s second one. Extending over a width of 650 feet, the height of this dam is 550’ in height. The dam is close to Cheruthoni barrage. This dam, along with the Cheruthoni dam and the Kulamavu dam, has created an artificial lake of 60 Sq.KM. The stored water is used in a Hydro Electric Power plant for generation of power. This project is known as Moolamottom Power House. The dam is about 43 KM away from the Power Plant.

Munnar is in Idukki district at the confluence of three rivers-Muthirappuzha, Chanduvarai and  Kundali. In the local language, Malayalam, Munnar literally means ‘Three Rivers’. The area is surrounded vast wet and cold jungles. The town and surrounding areas are about 1600 to 1800 meter above sea level. The temperature varies from 0 to 10 degrees Celsius in Winter and 15 to 25 degrees  Celsius in Summer. Because of this it has been also serving as a Hill Station. There are tea plantations all around this town.

There is a Government Arts College and a Government Engineering College and a few hospitals in Munnar. Ever since the Government of Kerala declared in the year 2000, Munnar as a tourist centre, tourist traffic has increased in Munnar. There are several protected areas/wild life sanctuaries in the surrounding, where rare species of animals, reptiles, birds live. This has been the main attraction for tourists. The protected areas where tourists can rejoice endlessly the animal kingdom and the splendid greenery  include, Kurinjimala Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary and Manjampatty Valley, part of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park and Anamudi Shola National Park, Pampadam Shola National Park. In the nearby are a new National Park-Palani Hills National Park is being developed. Several species of wild animals which are not found else where, such as Nilgiri Tahr-mountain goat, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, and Nilgiri languor, lion-tailed macaques, wild dogs, Nilgiri wood-pigeon, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar  and several species of monkeys. Anaimudi is the highest peak in the Western Ghats-more than 3000 meters in hight.

Spread over 25 Sq.kilometres, Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is in the Kothamangalam area of Idukki District. This was started by the renowned ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali, and lies between two tributaries of river Periyar on Ernakulam-Munnar Road. More than 500 species of birds can be seen in this sanctuary. To name a few- Horn Bills, rose-billed rollers, parrots, bee-eater, grey falcon, jungle fowl,black-winged kite, shrike, crimson-throated barbet, Ceylon frogmoth, sunbird, night heron, blue-winged parakeet, white-breasted water hen etc, There are also more tha n 25 varieties of animals for nature-lovers. Migratory birds also come to this sanctuary every year.

This dam is built across Malampuzha river and is 6066 feet in length. It is about 8 kilometers from Olavakode railway station and 13 kilometers  from Palakkad town. The dam has got a catchment area of 145 sq.kilometres and an ayacut of 42090 acres. It provides water for irrigation and also drinking water for Palakkad town.

There is beautiful garden in the complex, that has become a favourite picnic spot. There are green lawns, enchanting flower beds, many water pools and fountains. The reservoir provides opportunity for boating and fishing. An amusement park and Udankhatola, the only passenger ropeway in South India are additional attractions for the tourists. There is also an imposing structure of Yakshi, created by the famous sculptor Kanai Kunhiraman.

This is part of Wayanad Plateau and is located about 15 KM from Kozhikode close to the Bandipur National Park of Karnataka State and Mudhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu state. This is home for many animals- elephant, tiger, leopard, bison,  panther, jungle cat, wild dogs, civet cat, deer, bear etc. There is also a large variety of birds-peacocks, jungle fowl, owl, babler, wood-pecker etc. The sanctuary is part of a rich deciduous forest region with teak and bamboo etc.

This snake park is on the road from Kannur to Taliparamba. There is a large variety of snakes. Tourists can see a live show where trained personnel play and interact with snakes. The snake part is set up  the Visha Chikista Kendra at Pappinisseri. This Kendra offers very effective treatment for snake bites. The treatment uses both ayurvedic and allopathic systems. The more than 150 varieties of snakes that one can see in this farm include King Cobra, Spectacled cobra, Russell’s Viper, Krait, pit vipers, pythons and several non-poisonous varieties as well.