Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in Kerala, is the Periyar National
Park and Tiger Reserve. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of
the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir
meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial
source of water for the local wildlife.
Herds of elephant and sambar, gaur and wild pigs wander down to the lakeside
and can be observed from the launches that cruise the lake. In March and
April, during the driest period here, the animals spend a lot of time near
the lake and the elephants can be seen bathing and swimming in the reservoir.
A glimpse may be had even of the tiger during this season, as it comes to
the water. Periyar also harbors the leopard, wild dog, barking deer and
mouse deer. On the rocky outcrops along the lake, monitor lizards can be
seen basking in the sun. Visitors who trek into the Park often see a python
and sometimes even a king cobra.
Among the unusual species found at Periyar are the flying lizard and the
flying snake. With wings of orange or yellow, the flying lizard is seen
as it glides from one tree to the other. The flying snake is also brilliantly
colored in yellow and black with a pattern of red rosettes. The lake attracts
birds like the darter, cormorant, grey heron and ibis and they are seen
perched on the snags of dead wood that dot the lake. The great Malabar hornbill
and grey hornbill are often seen flapping their ponderous way between trees.
There are kingfishers, ospreys and kites as well as orioles, hill mynas,
racket tailed drongos, parakeets, including the unusual blue winged parakeet
and fly catchers. The liquid notes of the Malabar whistling thrush and the
loud call of the hornbills are distinctive amid the normal sounds of the
jungle.
Four species of primates are found at Periyar - the rare lion tailed macaque,
the Nilgiri langur, common langur and bonnet macaque. Though this is also
the habitat of the Nilgiri tahr, this elusive goat is rarely seen. The animals
are viewed from motor launches on the lake and from watchtowers. A summer
palace of the former Maharaja of Travancore, set along the lake, is a hotel
and a fine place to stay.
General Information
Best Time to Visit: October to April.
Nearest Town: Kumily (4 km)
How to Get There
Air: Cochin (200 km)
Rail: Kottayam (114 km)
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