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WAYANAD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY |
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The Sanctuary is an integral part
of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and was established in
1973. It sprawls over an area of 344 sq. km. and borders
the famous Mudumali Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Nagarhole
and Bandipur Sanctuaries in Karnataka. The Key fauna
includes elephants, spotted deer, gaur, sloth bear and
very large variety of birds and reptiles. The best season
is from December to April. |
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NEYYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY |
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| Situated
amidst scenic surroundings 32km from Trivandrum, the Lion
Safari park and Crocodile farm and rich variety of birds
and animals are the attractions of this wildlife sanctuary.
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PARAMBIKULAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY |
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| It lies
135km from Palakkad via Pollachi and is one of the best
sanctuary in the state. It covers an area of 285 sq.km
around the Parambikulam, Thunacadavu and Peruvaripallan
dams. It is home to varied wildlife species like gaur(bison),
sambar,spotted deer,Nilgiri langur, lion tailed macaque,
sloth bear etc. The best season lasts from February to
April. |
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SILENT VALLEY NATIONAL PARK |
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Located
in the lush Kundai hills 80km from Palakkad, the sanctuary
is perhaps the last substantial stretch of evergreen rain
forests. The key fauna includes elephants, tiger, lion
tailed macaque etc. The best season is from September
to March.
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KADALUNDI BIRD SANCTUARY |
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| 25km from
Kozhikode, this is a treat for bird watchers. Thousands
of migratory birds like terns, gulls, herons, sandpipers,
whimpers, etc gather here during the breeding season which
starts from November and return back in April. |
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KUMARAKOM BIRD SANCTUARY |
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| This beautiful
bird sanctuary is located 12km west of Kottayam town.
The sanctuary is set on the eastern bank of Vembanad Lake
and extends over 14 acres. The birds seen here include
water fowl, cuckoo, owl, ducks and migratory birds like
Siberian storks. Best time to visit is between June and
August. |
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ARALAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY |
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| The sanctuary
an area of 55sq.km in Kannur. The key fauna include elephants,
sloth bear, mouse deer etc.Rich and varied types of avifauna
and reptiles can also be found here. |
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THATTEKAD BIRD SANCTUARY |
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| Located
12km from Kothamangalam, the sanctuary covers an area
of 25sq.km stretching between the branches of river Periyar.There
are more than 200 verities of birds in the region. Key
avifauna include large falcon, gray jungle fowl etc. |
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IDUKKI WIDLIFE SANCTUARY |
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| It covers
an area of 70 sq.km.Although smaller in size it is comparable
to Periyar national Park. The key fauna is sambar and
elephant. The best season is from November to May. |
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CHINNAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY |
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| The
Chinnar sanctuary is accessible by good roads from the
Airports of Coimbatore and Kochi. The nearest railway
stations are Aluva(200 km) and Pollachi(60km)
As you travel along the road from Karimutti to Chinnar,
you can spot elephant, spotted deer, sambar, hanuman
monkey and even peacocks on either side of the road
. This is a unique experience because generally one
has to go deep into the jungle to see wildlife as in
the case of most other sanctuaries. |
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CHIMMINI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY |
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35 km
from Thrissur, the main fauna include leopards, elephants,
bears, wild pigs , wild bisons, tigers etc and the flora
include evergreen forests, semi evergreen forests, leaf
shedding forests etc.
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ERAVIKULAM-RAJAMALAI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY |
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The famous
sanctuary near Munnar is just 4km from the Munnar-Udumalapet
road. It is 135km from Kochi and is situated at the crest
of the Anaimalai range. It has the largest population
of Niligiri Tahr existing in the world now. Other key
fauna include sambar, barking deer, gaur, giant Malabar
squirrel, tiger, panther, nilgiri languor and many others.
The flora here includes the rare 'Neelakurinji'. The best
season lasts from November to April.
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PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (Thekkady) |
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| Situated
in Thekkady 190 km from Kochi, this sanctuary is popular
for its tiger reserve. The greatest attraction is the
herd of wild elephants that come down to the lake to frolic
in the waters. Tiger, sambhar, bison. spotted deer, leopard,
Malabar Flying squirrel, Stripe-necked mongoose and soon
are also found in the forest. |
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SHENDURUNI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY |
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| 66 km
from Kollam town on the Kollam-Shencotta road, elephants,
tigers, leopards, deers, lion-tailed macaques are the
main attractions here. |
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PEPPARA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY |
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50 km
from Trivandrum, elephants, gaurs, sloth bears, leopards
and lion tailed macaques are the main attractions here.
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PEECHI-VAZHANI WILD LIFE SANCTUARY |
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In 12
sq. km area of thick forests, tuskers can be seen in large
numbers situated in Trichur District.
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AUGUSTIA KOODAM |
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Located
in Trivandrum District. Rare and valuable plants used
for Ayurveda Medicines are found.
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NAGARHOLE WILD LIFE SANCTUARY |
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| 40 km
from Mananthavadi in Wyanad, this wild life sanctuary
attracts lot of tourists. |
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PAKSHI PATHALA BIRD SANCTUARY |
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This area
in Wynad can be reached only by Trekking. Birds can be
watched and different species spotted through a birds
watch tower.
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KURUVA ISLANDS |
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| On the
Kabini river, 16 km from Manathavady, have rich herbs,
Orchids and species of flowers in addition to varieties
of animals and birds. |
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