Haven’t you ever wondered at nature’s creativity and its true unfathomable wonders? Well, one of the best examples of natures’ artistry is the Periyar National Park in Thekkady. One of the most protected national parks and wildlife sanctuary in India, it is home to several elephants and tigers. Acclaimed, for its inexplicable scenic beauty this park is blessed with one of the richest biodiversity across the globe. Let’s take an everlasting peek into this sanctuary and create memories of a lifetime.
Peek into History
Under the Pandaya reign in the 12th century, the Mullaperiyar dam was built across the west flowing river Periyar creating an artificial lake called the Periyar Lake, which is one of the most visited places in the wildlife sanctuary today. In the 18th and 19th century the Travancore kings hunted in this area, which covers most of south Kerala. In 1899 this area was declared protected land, to stop tea plantations from encroaching on the kings hunting grounds that became the Nellikkampatty Game Sanctuary in 1934.
One of the most beautiful Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala, the Periyar National Park, is spread across 350 sq km inside the protected forest reserve of 925 km. Home to tropical evergreen trees, the trees grow to incredible heights of 130-140 feet, creating a canopy with zero sunlight penetration. In 1978 the reserve was included in the government protect tiger initiative and later included in the Project Elephant to preserve free-range wild Asian elephants in 1992.
Periyar Wildlife
The Periyar National Park is not just a reserve for tigers and elephants, but you can catch glimpses of magnificent animals like the Sambar, Dole or Barking deer, Wild boars, Mouse deer, Gaur, rare lions, and the tailed macaque. If you are lucky, you may get to see Gee’s Golden Langur, the Nilgiri Langur, the Bonnet Macaque, and Indian Wild Dogs. The sanctuary is home to the Nilgiri Tahr, but seen rarely.
Of course, not just wildlife, but this sanctuary boasts of fabulous flora and fauna right from the evergreen canopy to some of the rarest species of birds and reptiles. The Periyar national park is one of the most visited Thekkady tourist places today. Ecologists and wildlife experts confirmed the existence of 246 bird species, 49 mammal species, 28 reptile species, 22 fish species, eight amphibian species, and 112 types of butterflies.
How to see it all?
Why the safaris of course. You can enjoy everything the national park offers when you sign up for a jeep safari, an elephant safari or a boat ride. Have a fantastic time cruising through the lake while you catch glimpses of the wild. Missing out on experiencing the wild when you are in Thekkady, Kerala is a strict no-no.
Why the safaris of course. You can enjoy everything the national park offers when you sign up for a jeep safari, an elephant safari or a boat ride. Have a fantastic time cruising through the lake while you catch glimpses of the wild. Missing out on experiencing the wild when you are in Thekkady, Kerala is a strict no-no.