Periyar National Park
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.
Area : 777 sq km / 77,700 hectares
Established : 1950 as a sanctuary, 1978 as a tiger reserve.
Description :
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.
Periyars 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).