Area : 777 sq km / 77,700 hectares
Established : 1950 as a sanctuary, 1978 as a tiger reserve.
Description
:
Periyar National Park is situated in the hills of the Western Ghats in the
state of Kerala in SW India. The centrepiece of the park is the 5,500-hectare
Periyar lake formed by the construction of a dam on the Periyar river in 1895.
The dam submerged low-lying forest whose dead treetrunks still jut out of
the waters. Along the fringes of the lake are marshy areas with tall grasslands.
This is one of the richest hanitats ofor large mammals, as it provides both
excellent cover and nourishment in the form of succulent shoots and grasses.
Here it is possible to see large herds of Indian Elephant with relative ease
as well as Nilgiri Langur near Aranya Niwas and the Liontail Macaque in higher
areas.
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. 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. Periyar has a few Nilgiri Tahr, good numbers
of which may also be seen on a day excursion to nearby Eravikulam National
Park near Munnar.
Season :
Open year-round, the best period being November-April.
Access :
Fly to Cochin and drive to Periyar (200 km). The nearest railway station is
Kottayam (114 km).
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Here For Reservation/Booking
SUUGGESTED RESORTS
Lake Palace
Resort, Periyar
Lake Palace, Periyar Flora and fauna that never cease to surprise. That
is Thekkady for you. And introducing you to the mystery and adventure
of the jungle is Lake Palace.
Taj Garden
Retreat, Periyar
Taj Garden Retreat is located at a distance of 140-kms from Kochi airport
and neighbours the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Periyar Spice
Village, Periyar
Spice Village Resort, Periyar Set in the heart of the Cardamom hills of
Kerala, Spice Village is an unprecedented tourist destination, offering
a rare opportunity to enjoy South India's wildlife & Beauty. |
SUGGESTED TOURS
Bird
Watching Tour of India
Duration: 20 nights/ 21days
Places to Visit: Delhi - Corbett - Agra - Bharatpur - Sawai Madhopur -
Jaipur - Ahmedabad - Zainabad - Ahmedabad - Banglaore - Mysore - Ranganathitoo
- Mysore - Bangalore
|
Periyar National Park