Wild Life Sancturies and National Parks in India

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Andra Pradesh

1.Srisailam Sanctuary

The largest of India's Tiger Reserves, the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Sanctuary ( 3568 sq. km.); spreads over five districts - Nalgonda, Mahaboobnagar, Kurnool, Prakasam and Guntur in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
The Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Sanctuary was notified in 1978 and declared a Tiger Reserve in 1983. The Reserve was renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in 1992.

The river Krishna flows through the sanctuary over a distance of 130 km. The multipurpose reservoirs, Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar, which are important sources of irrigation and power in the state are located in the sanctuary. The reservoirs and temples of Srisailam are a major tourist and pilgrim attraction for people from all over the country and abroad.
The terrain is rugged and winding gorges slice through the Mallamalai hills. Adjoining the reserve is the large reservoir of the Nagarjunasagar Dam on the River Krishna. The dry deciduous forests with scrub and bamboo thickets provide shelter to a range of animals from the tiger and leopard at the top of the food chain, to deer, sloth bear, hyena, jungle cat, palm civet, bonnet macaque and pangolin. In this unspoilt jungle, the tiger is truly nocturnal and is rarely seen.
Main Flora:
Anogeissus latifolia, Cleisthanthus collinus, Terminalia species, Pterocarpus marsupium, Hardwickia binata, Boswellia serrata, Tectona grandis, Mandelia suberora, Albizzia species
Main Fauna
Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, pangolin, spotted deer, sambar, mouse deer, black buck, chinkara, chausingha, mugger, python, cobra, peafowl.
Best time to visit :
Summer: Mid-March to mid-June
Monsoon: Mid-June to mid-November
Winter: Mid-November to February
Accommodation :
Three Forest Rest Houses and 40 bed capacity dormitories are available for tourist occupation in the Tiger Reserve at Srisailam, Mannanur and Nagarjunasagar. There are connections to Srisailam from Hyderabad, Vijaywada, Guntur, Kurnool, Markapur. The distance from these towns to Srisailam ranges between 90 to 240 km.
Nearest town :
Macherla (29 km)
How to get there :
Rail-Hyderabad (150 km) Air-Hyderabad (150 km)

2.Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary

Manjira wild life sanctury spreads over an area of 20 sq.kms and is the abode of a number of resident and migratory birds and the marsh crocodiles.

It has an Environmental Education Centre with a museum, a library, and an auditorium. All this facilitates in educating the visitors about nature conservation and maintenance of ecological balance.

Boats are in operation to take the visitors around the sanctuary for bird watching. Binoculars and books on identification of birds are also available. The films of birds and animals are also shown everyday on 16-mm projector. Species found: Catla, Rahu, Murrel, Ech Paten, Karugu, Chidwa,Painted Storks, Herons, Coots, Teals, Cormorants, Pochards, Black and White Ibises, Spoon Bills, Open Billed Storks etc.
Invertebrates : Prawns, Mollusis and Zoo plankton.Fishes : Catla, Rahu, Murrel, Ech Paten, Karugu, Chidwa.
Reptiles : Monitor Lizards, Fresh Water Turtles, Cobra and Marsh Crocodiles.
Birds : Painted Storks, Herons, Coots, Teals, Cormorants, Pochards, Black and White Ibises, Spoon Bills, Open Billed Storks etc.

Extensive growth of Babul Prosopis. Plants commonly found in water are Pistia, Hydrilla, Eichornia and Vallisneria.

How to Reach There (Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary): Train to Hyderabad (150 km); Hyderabad (150 km.

3.Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary

Evolved out of different needs, the town of Srisailam is divided into three zones. Srisailam or the original pilgrim town centers round the age-old temples dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna and Goddess Bhramaramba, incarnations of Shiva and Parvati. A fairly stocked marketplace and several lodges for pilgrims lie alongside the temple quadrangle.
About eight kilometers from the temple town is Sunnipenta, another ridge top where most offices and a few eating houses are located. Also located here is the office of the Project Tiger and the Field Director. The dam site on the river Krishna-the Srisailam Hydel Projects-makes up the third zone.

Nestling in the Nallamalai Hill ranges, an offshoot of the Eastern Ghats, with cliffs, gorges, ridges and plateaus, endowed with a variety of flora and fauna, the NSTR protects a large portion of the once flourishing ecological system that existed here. Without having the benefit of being an erstwhile royal game preserve, the forest in this area was always open to human visitation. Pilgrims from all over southern India carved out routes through the forest to reach Srisailam. It was in 1973 that the area was declared a sanctuary and incorporated under Project Tiger a decade later.

A little over 6 sq km in area, the Rollapadu grasslands near Srisailam are dotted with dry, thorny bushes and is home of about a hundred blackbucks. From a distance, one can observe families of blackbucks out on their breakfast trail, a couple of bustards gazing at the horizon while taking a tentive foot forward. At present, day visits to Rollapadu Sanctuary is permitted.

Reaching There (Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary):
By Air:
The nearest airport is at Hyderabad, 316 km away from Srisailam. Hyderabad is connected to many important cities in India including Delhi and Mumbai, the major international gateways.
By Rail:
Srisailam is connected through Hyderabad as well as via Markapur (85 km away) on the South Central Railway.
By Road:
Srisailam is 190 km from Kurnool, 220 km from Guntur, 470 km from Chennai, and 85 km from Mannanur.

Accommodation (Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary):
Three guesthouses/temple cottages with 248 beds are available at present in the forest area. Therefore, the available accommodation at these places can be depended upon while visiting the reserve.

Links to Outside World:
STD/ISD facilities are available at Srisailam and some other places nearby. Postal and telegraph facilities are available at Srisailam.
Places Nearby Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary:
Mannanur is a pre-existing tribal hamlet with a comfortably furnished camp bungalow. Next to the bungalow are a crocodile pond and an environment education center. From Mannanur, one can explore the western corner of the tiger reserve. The forest area here is thickly set with miscellaneous timber species with local names like Nallamadi (Terminalia tomentosa), Chirumanu (Anogeissus latifolia), etc., as well as stretches of teak forest. One can also spot spotted deers, sambars, and nilgais here.

Nagarjunasagar is the place where excavations have unearthed many historical monuments belonging to 1st and 2nd century AD. The place is also home to a large dam built on the river Krishna.

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Gujarat

1.Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: 64 km from Junagadh and 32 km from Verawal

Total Coverage Area:1,412.14 sq. km./ Lion sanctuary 141,213 hectares (of which national park 35,948 hectares).
About Sansan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary:
The Gir National Park, was established on 18th September, 1965, as a Forest Reserve, primarily to conserve the Asiatic lion. The total area under national park status is about 2,450 hectares. It is located in the Junagadh District of Gujarat, about 65 km south-east of Junagadh city, and 90 km east of Keshod Airport, in the Kathiawar (Saurashtra) Peninsula. Sasan, with a forest rest-house, is the headquarters of the sanctuary.The Gir is a mixed deciduous type of forest with teak, ber, flame of the forest, jamun, a variety of acacia, particularly babul. It is a hilly tract with plenty of rivers, and offers the visitor long pleasant drives, through the thick forest cover.

Gir National Park is the only remaining habitat of the Asiatic lion, which has been confined to this forest, since 1884 ( about 239 lions were reported in 1985 ).The Asiatic lion is slightly smaller than its African cousin, nevertheless, a large male lion of the Gir is quite a sight to behold. The best way to observe the big cats is, of course, in their natural surroundings, at dawn and dusk, when they are on the prowl. The Forest Department does arrange lion shows every Sunday, where the spectators can watch prides of lions on the hunt.There are guided trips available, to watch these magnificent animals from a very close range.

The chinkara, wild boar, striped hyena, jackal, common langur, porcupine, hare, black buck, are the other animals, that can be found in this sanctuary. There are over 200 bird species including the peafowl, grey partridge, Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, jungle bush quail, painted sandgrouse, common green pigeon and several species of doves . The Gir is also home to the marsh crocodile, which can be sighted easily in its rivers, particularly in the lake of the Kamaleshwar dam. There is also a crocodile breeding farm at Sasan.Wildlife viewing in the Girs is best done, by driving around the forest. The best drives from Sasan are, to Baval Chowk and Kankai, to Chodavdi and Tulsishyam, and to Kamaleshwar dam. Though a sturdy car would do, a jeep is definitely more appropriate.
Three unusual reserves, the Nalsarovar Lake and Sanctuary - home to several water-birds, the Little Rann of Kutch - home of the Indian wild ass, and the fascinating Flamingo Island, render the state of Gujarat a virtual haven for wildlife buffs.
The Topography(Gir National Park ):
The state of Gujarat has some splendid wildlife reserves that are quite out of the ordinary. The Gir National Park is the only home in India of the Asiatic Lion of which there are nearly 300 in the park. This sanctuary lies in the Gujarat peninsula in South West India and is gifted with a terrain that is rugged with low hills and the vegetation is full of mixed deciduous, with stands of Teak, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees, interspersed with large patches of grasslands. On the hills of the trees are sparse and stunted.

Climate(Gir National Park )
From the three common seasons of summer, winter and monsoon, summer takes the longest stretch, in which the average minimum and maximum temperature ranges between 10ºC to nearly 45ºC. The hottest months recorded in Gir are April and May. The rains bring some relief from the heat during the monsoons period of, starting from middle of June and September. The maximum recorded during this period in the area is around 1,866 mm and the minimum recorded being 199mm.

Because of less rainfall water always remains a critical factor in the well being of the forest. At times the waterholes are required to be replenished through water tankers from outside and the park staff maintains around 350 of such waterholes.

The Lion King (Gir National Park )
Gir Sanctuary is the last and only home of the critically endangered Asiatic Lion. These lions are a smaller more compact version of their African version, and are best viewed at dawn or dusk when they are on the move. The major difference between the two is that the African Lion appears larger than the Indian Lion because of its large and luxuriant mane.

Extension Of The Sanctuary
In the past Gir had a much bigger coverage area. After Indian government placed a total ban on killing of Lions in 1955, within the time span of three years the area estimation came around 2,560-sq-km and the Lion population was estimated at 287. Since then, the forest area very quickly got reduced in area to 1,452-sq-km. In 1965, the Gujarat government declared Gir forest as a sanctuary and in 1975; part of the sanctuary was declared as a National Park. And with the success of the protection program there is an incredible increase in the Lion population too, from 177 in 1974 to around 300 in 1995.

The main territories of this territorial predator outside Gir in Gujarat include Nagwa Beach in Diu, Sutrapada, Palitana, Mahuva, Savarkundla, Mitiyala, Keshod, Maliya Hatina, and Girnar.

2.Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary

The entire Little Rann of Kutch known as the "Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary" is a featureless expanse of flat land - the sea bed - dotted with islands known as "Baits" which form the core for the flora and fauna. This is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India.
In India the Indian wild ass represents the horse tribe. In the Little Rann of Kutch, the asses are attracted by the flat grass covered expanses known as bets or islands where coarse grasses spring up In monsoon. With the advent of summer, the asses move to oilier bets in which there is perennial supply of water and grass.
As for speed and stamina, there is no one in the animal kingdom to match the wild ass as they are capable of marathon runs at a pace of about 24 km/h for as long as two hours, reaching a top speed of 70 km/h over short distances. The wild ass is a strong animal and a stallion will fight viciously for the possession of the mare in the mating season. The combatants rear up on their hindlegs, and kick and bite viciously. After mating one fowl is born between July and September.

Besides the wild ass, the wildlife consists of rare and endangered Ghudkhur (Equs hemionus khur) not found anywhere else in the world. Others, such as the Blue-Bull, Chinkara, Hedgehog and carnivores such as the Wolf, Jackal, Fox, Jungle and Desert Cats can also be found here in large numbers. A variety of birds - almost three hundred species, can be seen in and around the Rann during winter. Cranes and Flamingos can be seen in thousands. Rare birds such as the Houbara Bustard, Falcons, a large number and species of larks and other arid region birds can be seen. Reptiles such as snakes, tortoises, lizards, are also found. Watch towers, a tourist complex and other tourist related facilities are in place to enhance wildlife viewing in this unique habitat.

Wildlife Safari
Travelling on the vast Rann in an open jeep is a refreshing and exciting experience. The sunrise and sunset are breathtaking, displaying exotic hues. Viewing wildlife is an exciting and thrilling adventure. It is more satisfying to observe animal behaviour than mere sighting. A minimum of three/four day's stay is recommended. There are morning and evening excursions in Jeeps/Mini coaches that seat a comfortable number of persons and are conducted at a leisurely pace.
The safaris, besides wildlife also include visits to ancient monuments and inland salt works and other places of interest. Explanations and anecdotes, during the whole safari will keep one, enthralled.

Excursions and other Activities
Excursions for viewing a typical Saurashtra village, handloom weaving and dyeing units and the village potter are available.

For people interested in birds and photography; special rides and camouflaged boats can be provided.

Trekking and living with seasonally migrating Rabari and Bharwad tribes. Camps on the edge of the Rann are operated between July and September each year.

Camel and Jeep safaris in and across the Rann with tented camps on the Baits, lasting three to seven days can be arranged.
As for speed and stamina, there is no one in the animal kingdom to match the wild ass as they are capable of marathon runs at a pace of about 24 km/h for as long as two hours, reaching a top speed of 70 km/h over short distances. The wild ass is a strong animal and a stallion will fight viciously for the possession of the mare in the mating season. The combatants rear up on their hindlegs, and kick and bite viciously. After mating one fowl is born between July and September.

Besides the wild ass, the wildlife consists of rare and endangered Ghudkhur (Equs hemionus khur) not found anywhere else in the world. Others, such as the Blue-Bull, Chinkara, Hedgehog and carnivores such as the Wolf, Jackal, Fox, Jungle and Desert Cats can also be found here in large numbers. A variety of birds - almost three hundred species, can be seen in and around the Rann during winter. Cranes and Flamingos can be seen in thousands. Rare birds such as the Houbara Bustard, Falcons, a large number and species of larks and other arid region birds can be seen. Reptiles such as snakes, tortoises, lizards, are also found. Watch towers, a tourist complex and other tourist related facilities are in place to enhance wildlife viewing in this unique habitat.

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3.Haryana

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Haryana

Location: Delhi - Jaipur highway ( 46 km from Delhi)

Founded by: Dr. Salim Ali

Season: September to March is the best time to visit.
About Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
Located at a distance of 46 kms from Delhi, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is a haven to a variety of domestic and migratory birds. Artificial mound, have turned into a green glade. The marsh has been converted into a water body. And with the years, hundreds of species of migratory birds have winged in to stay. Winter brings in birds from as far as Siberia. Flock of geese from Europe wing in too. The local birds flap in. The bird population include darters, egrets shovellers, gadwell and geese dominate. Teals, kingfishers, lapwings, sandpipers demoiselle cranes and such like water birds nestle in. Over 100 species have been identified here.

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary was a haunt of our very own birdman Late Dr. Salim Ali: And, innumerable bird watchers who come in to observe bird antics. There are hide outs, watch towers and a museum of sorts for those keen on serious study. Guestrooms and catering wing, await the patrons.

Climate(Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary)
The climate of this region is tropical with very hot summers and chilly winters. Monsoon approaches this place in the month of July and continues till mid-September. The best season to visit this park is winter as the chances of seeing the exclusive wildlife of this park is more in these months.

Location(Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary)
The Sultanpur National Park is located in the Indian state of Haryana at a distance of 45 km from Delhi, the national capital. The park extends from latitude 28°37' in the North to longitude 77°04' in the east. It is well connected by roads with Delhi and Gurgaon, the district headquarters.

Attractions(Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary):
Flora: The vegetation of this park is tropical and dry deciduous and the flora include grasses, dhok, khair, tendu, ber, jamun, acacia, and banyan tree.

Fauna in Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary: The Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is home to a large range of birds, both resident and migratory. Migratory geese and Siberian cranes spend the winter in Sultanpur and there are also the demoiselle cranes, ruddy shelducks, pelicans, flamingoes, bar-headed geese, grey lags, gadwalls, mallards, pochards, shovellers and teals. Local species include plovers, red-wattled lapwings, herons, cormorants, white ibises, spoonbills and painted storks.Other wildlife in the park include blackbuck, nilgai, hog deer, sambar, wild dog or dhole, caracal, wild cat, hedgehog, mongoose, striped hyena, Indian porcupine, rattle/honey badger, leopard, wild pig, and four horned antelope.

Other Attractions:
Sultanpur Lake is the point around which the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary has been developed. The lake is a picnic spot for the residents of Delhi and boating facilities are also available here. The lake has a good number of reptiles and it attracts a lot of migratory birds during winters.

Places Nearby(Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary)
Delhi, at a distance of around 45 km from Sultanpur, is the capital of India and the seat of power since ancient times. Major tourist attractions here are the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Qutub Minar, Bahai Temple, Rajghat, India Gate, and Jantar Mantar apart from numerous others. There are also many museums, libraries, art galleries, theaters, and educational institutions that can be visited.

Reaching There(Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary)
By Air: Airport - Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (35 km) Palam Domestic Airport, Delhi (35 km) The nearest airport from Sultanpur is the Indira Gandhi International Airport and Palam Domestic Airport in Delhi at a distance of just 35 km. Indira Gandhi airport is connected with most of the important international destinations by regular flights of the major airlines. Palam Domestic Airport is connected to almost all the major cities in India by regular flights of the Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, and Sahara Airlines apart from the other small domestic airlines.

By Rail : Railway Station - Gurgaon Railway Station (15 km) Gurgaon is the nearest railway station connected to Delhi and many places in Haryana and Rajasthan by regular trains. New Delhi, Nizamuddin, and Old Delhi railway stations are important railway links from where one can get trains to almost all parts of the country.

By Road: We(tourmyindia.com) can provide you all tourist permit car/coach, for the city and intercity drives and can look after all your travel related services.

Accommodation(Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary):
Inside the park, the Haryana Tourism Development Corporation runs a tourist lodge that has air-conditioned as well as general rooms. The facilities there include a bar, restaurant, and cottages for the guests. One can also stay in any of the large number of hotels at Delhi or Gurgaon and go to Sultanpur for a weakened or day trip.

Travel Tips:
For money exchange and other banking facilities Delhi and Gurgaon are the best places. There are branches of almost all the nationalized as well as foreign and private banks that accept travelers' cheques and exchange foreign currency.

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4.Kerala

1.Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

Location : 40 Kms From Thodupuzha, Kerala

Famous For : Elephants

Area : 77 sq. Kms

Altitude : 450-758m Above Sea Lev
About Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary:
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 40 kms from Thodupuzha.This sanctuary extends over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district spreading over 77sq. kms, at 450 - 748m above sea level
The Idukki reservoir formed by three dams-Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu-extends to 33 sq. km.

A picturesque lake, a majestic arch dam across two hills and roaming herds of elephants and gaur are sights that lure you to this enchanting canopy of tropical semi-evergreen and deciduous forests. The fauna also includes Langur, Leopard and Wild Boar.
Wild Population of Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary has a large variety of flora and fauna. Among the mammals, Elephants, Bison, Sambhar, Deer, Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats, Tiger, Wild Boar etc reptiles such as Cobra, Viper, Krait and a large number of non- poisonous snakes can be seen.

Jungle Fowl, Myna, Laughing Thrush, Black Bulbul, Peafowl, Woodpecker, Kingfisher etc also inhabit the place in large numbers.

2.Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

Area: 777 sq. km.
Core: 350 sq. km.
Buffer: 427 sq. km

Established : 1950 as a sanctuary, 1978 as a tiger reserve
About Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary:
Periyar National Park is situated in the hills of the Western Ghats in the state of Kerala in SW India. The centre piece of Periyar National 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 tree trunks still jut out of the waters. Along the fringes of the lake are marshy areas with tall grasslands. This is one of the richest habitats of 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 bird life 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.
Main Fauna in Periyar:
In Periyar Tiger Reserve 49 species of mammals, 265 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, 12 species of amphibians, 35 species of fishes and 160 species of butterflies have been identified so far. Some important mammals are tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, sambar, wild dog, barking deer, lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur and Nilgiri tahr.

Main flora found in Periyar:
Periyar Widllife Sanctuary boasts a quite rich and diverse flora. The flora in Periyar National Park chiefly comprises of Tropical Evergreen forests (30,500ha) and Semi-evergreen forests (27,500ha) around the reservoir, and Moist-deciduous forests and Woody grasslands in the central part of the park.

The major flora in the park include the Teak, Rosewood, Terminalia, Eucalyptus, Sandalwood, Jacaranda (a hardwood timber tree with purple flowers), Mango, Jamun, Tamarind, Banyan, Pipal, Plumeria, Gulmohar and Bamboo among many others. The thick vegetation of the Periyar wildlife sanctuary provides both excellent cover and nourishment in the form of succulent shoots and grasses.
Other General Information on Periyar Sanctuary
Longitude: 76°57' and 77°25' E
Latitude: 9°16' and 9°36' N
Altitude: 100m. to 2016 m. above msl.
Rainfall: 2500 mm.
Temperature: Minimum: 15°C, Maximum: 31°C

Season(Periyar National Park)
Monsoon: Southwest and Northeast monsoon with maximum rainfall in July and minimum in January.
Summer: April-May
Winter: December-January
Access (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary):
Fly to Cochin and drive to Periyar (200 km). The nearest railway station is Kottayam (114 km).

3.Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the north-east and Mudimalai of Tamilnadu on the south-east. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reservem, Which has been established with the specific objective of conservating the biological heritage of the region. Interestingly, it was from here that Pazhassi Raja fought valiantly against the British.
Consisting entirely of notified reserve, the sanctuary is very rich in fauna and flora. The management of the sanctuary lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration to the general lifestyle of the Tribals and others who live on the frings of the forest.

Topography(Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary):
Gently undulating with occasional hillocks, the highest peak is Karottimala (1158m).

Climate(Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary)
The tract receives fairly reasonable amount of rain, most of which is received during June to August. March, April and May are warm.

Forest Types (Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary):
Most of the forests are of the south Indian moist deciduous type. There are, however, a few patches of west coast semi evergreen forests. About 110 sq.kms of the sanctuary is under plantations of teak, eucalyptus. And grevelia.
Flora in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary:
In the moist deciduous forest, maruthi, karimaruthi, rosewood, venteak, vengal, chadachi, mazhukanjiram, bamboo etc grow. In the semi-evergreen patches Veteria indica. Lagerstroemia, Lanceolata, Termianalia paniculata etc are common.

Fauna in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
The animal population of the sanctuary is varies. Elephant, tiger, Panther, jungle cat, civet cat, monkeys, wild dog, bison, deer, bear, etc. inhabit the sanctuary. Reptiles like monitor lizard and a variety of snakes are seen. Peacock, babblers, cuckoos, owl, wood pecker and jungle fowl are only a few among the different types of birds seen in the area.
Among the animals, elephant occupies the prime position. Interstate seasonal migration of elephant is common.Tiger population of the sanctuary is fairly good. Frequent sightings are reported from Tholpetty, Rambur and Mavinhalla areas.
Administration (Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary)
The sanctuary comes under the Wayanand Wildlife Division with head quarters at Sultan Bathery.

Wildlife Tourism (Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary)
Good roads connect the sanctuary with Kozhikode, Mysore and Ootty. They are also connected by rail and are within 110 kms from the sanctuary. The nearest airport is Kozhikode. Visitors can halt at Sultan Bathery or Mananthavadi and visit the sanctuary Government rest houses and private lodges offer accommodation.

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4.Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

A mere 55 sq.kms in area and located on the western slopes of the Western Ghats, the Aralam sanctuary is the northern most wildlife sanctuary of Kerala. It was established in 1984. The headquarters of the sanctuary is near Iritty, a small town about 55 kms from Kannur. The sanctuary adjoins the Central State Farm at Aralam. It lies between north latitude 11°50' and 11° 52' and east longitude 75° 49' and 75° 57'.
Topography in Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
The elevation varies from 50m to 1145m. The highest peak is Katti Betta, which is 1145m. high.

Climate (Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary)
The temperature at the foothills varies from 21° C to 40°C and at the higher reaches from 8°C to 25°C. The sanctuary receives an annual rainfall of about 3,000 mm. The wettest part of the year is from June to August. (south-west monsoon).
Forest Type
Forest coast tropical evergreen and west coast semievergreen forests are predominant. There are about 490 ha of teak and eucalyptus plantations within the forest area.

Flora in Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
In the evergreen areas the following species are found: vellapine (Vateria indica), Mesua ferrea, Mechilus macrantha, Calophyllum elatum, Cullenia rosayroona, Magnifera indica, Toona cillata, Myristica Species, Euphorbia Longana, Strobilanthes. The common trees in the semievergreen areas are Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Hopea parviflora, Largestroemia lanceolata, Xyliaxylocarpa, Mallotus, Philippinensis.
Fauna in Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
A variety of animals and birds usually found in the Western Ghats are seen here. Different kinds of deer, boar, elephant, and bison are quite common. Leopard, jungle cat and various types of squirrels are sighted.

Administration (Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary)
The sanctuary comes under the Wayanad Division with headquarters at Sultan Bathery. The sanctuary is under the direct charge of an Assistant Wildlife whose office is at Chathiroor near Irutti.

Wildlife Tourism (Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary)
One can reach the Aralam sanctuary by road from Thalasseri (45 kms) and Kannur (45kms). The nearest railway station is Thalassery and the nearest airport is Kozhikkod, 113 kms from Irutti. The infrastructure for tourism development is limited at present, but steps are being taken by the Forest Department to improve the situation.
Enquiries (Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary)
1. The Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)
Thiruvananthapuram - 695 014, Kerala
Phone: 322217

2. The Wildlife Warden, Aralam Wildlife,
Division, Kannur.

3. The Assistant Wildlife Warden, Iritty, Kannur Dist. Pin Code: 670 673

5.Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

Total Area 128 sq. kms

Best time to visit October to March

How to get there Rail- Mullayar

Species found Elephants, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Tahr, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Nilgiri Langur etc.
About Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary:
The Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends 9.06 sq. km. The vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands. The Agasthyakoodam hill, 1890 metres high, lies in the premises of the sanctuary. Elephants, gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri tahr, jungle cat, wild boar, Nilgiri langur etc. are seen. A crocodile rearing centre, deer farm and lion safari park are the main attractions

The vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands. The Agasthyarkoodam hill, 1890 metres high, lies in the premises of the sanctuary.

Declared as a sanctuary in 1958, it is the drainage basin for the Neyyar River and its tributaries - Mullayar and Kallar.
Wildlife in Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary:
Elephants, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Tahr, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Nilgiri Langur can be seen here.

This sanctuary has a substantial natural vegetation cover. The diversity of its flora makes this sanctuary an ideal gene pool preserve.

Other Attractions:
A Crocodile Rearing Centre, Deer Farm and Lion Safari Park are the main attractions near the dam site.

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6.Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala.

The forests of Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary constitute the catchment of Peppara dam constructed across Karamana river and commissioned during 1983 to augment drinking water supply to Thiruvananthapuram city and suburban areas. Considering the ecological significance of the area, it was declared as sanctuary during 1983. The area was formerly a part of Paruthippally range of Thiruvananthapuram Territorial Division.
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary consists of Part of Palode reserve (24sq.kms) and part of Kottoor reserve (29sq.kms). The total area of the sanctuary is 53 sq.kms. The total water spread of the reservoir is 5.82 sq.kms.

The sanctuary is located about 50kms. north east of Thiruvananthapuram city in Nedumangad taluk of Thiruvananthapuram district between longitude 76°40' and 77°17' east and latitude 80°7'and 8°53' north. General topography of the area is hilly with elevation varying from 100 m to 1717m. Rainfall and other climate factors are similar to that of Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. There are 13 tribal settlements in the sanctuary. Eleven are in Athirumala section and two are in Thodayar section.

The Following major forest types are recognised in the peppara wildlife sanctuary.

1 .Southern hilltop tropical evergreen
This type of forest is of stunted evergreen, found above 1000m elevation on the top of hills. They are exposed to heavy wind and less favourable soil and climatic conditions.
2 .West coast semi- evergreen
A transitional zone between evergreen and moist deciduous, this type occurs mostly in hill slopes from 150 to 1050m. The riparian areas also contain them.

3. Southern moist mixed deciduous forests
This type of forest covers more than 60% of the tract along the lower slopes of hills.

The major mammals include elephant, gaur,sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, wild boar, tiger, panther, wild dog, lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Malabar squirrel etc. Water birds like darter, little cormorant, pied king fisher and egrets are also common. Many kinds of snakes including the king cobra and python are also present in this sanctuary. The area has a variety of moth and butterflies.

7.Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (also commonly known as the Thattekad Sanctuary) is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar river. The sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously. Ali described Thattekad in the 1930's as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas. Since then much of the forest has been diverted to cultivation and teak and mahogany plantation but what survives gives a glimpse of the phenomenal bird diversity of the once widespread lowland forests of Kerala. Some basic facts about the sanctuary are listed below:

Basic information on Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekad Latitude 76 deg. 40' - 76 deg. 45' N
Longitude 10 deg. 7' - 11 deg. E
Altitude 35- 523 m (Njayapilli peak)
Area 25.16 sq. km
Rainfall 2500 mm annually
Forest type Tropical semi-evergreen and tropical deciduous
Mammals Elephant, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Porcupine
Bird species > 250

How to Reach (Thattekad Bird Sanctuary)
The sanctuary is 13 km north-east of Kothamangalam along the Pooyamkutti road. The nearest railway station is Aluva at a distance of 48 km. Kochi, the nearest airport is 71 km away. The new airport at Nedumbassery is probably closer.

Kothamangalam is well connected by privately operated buses to Ernakulam via Muvattupuzha or Perumbavoor. There are frequent buses from Kothamangalam to Thattekad. Construction of bridge across the Periayar river has recently completedd.
Accommodation (Thattekad Bird Sanctuary):
There is a three storied watch tower inside the Sanctuary with two beds, a toilet and a kitchen. No electricity here but there is are a few solar powered lamps. A forest department inspection bungalow called Hornbill is located near the sanctuary entrance. There is a dormitory just inside the sanctuary which is ideal for large groups. Accommodation is also available at the PWD rest house near the Bhoothathankett Dam and in lodges in Kothamangalam.

For further information about the sanctuary and for booking accommodation contact:
The Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Thiruvanthapuram Kerala 695014
The Wildlife Warden, Idukki Wildlife Division, Vellappara, Painavu P.O. Idukki District 685603 Phone 0486 232271
The Assistant Wildlife Warden, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Njayapilli P.O. , Kothamangalam, Kerala Phone 0485 588302
Bird Watching in Thattekad Sanctuary:
Only species observed by us have been listed. We have no information if an exhaustive checklist is available for the Sanctuary. Nomenclature used follows Birds of the Indian Subcontinent (1998). The pocket edition of this book was used for field identification. Subspecies have not been mentioned unless unambiguous identification was made (eg. ruby-throated subspecies of the Black-crested Bulbul). Some interesting observations and a nesting record are at the end of this checklist.

Collocalia unicolor Indian Swiftlet
Ocyceros griseus Malabar Grey-Hornbill
Spizaetus cirrhatus Changeable Hawk-Eagle
Anhinga melanogaster Oriental Darter
Ardea cinerea Grey Heron

Snipe: the bird could not be identified because of poor light conditions. The overall appearance, habitat and behavior were of a typical snipe.
Arachnothera longirostra Little Spiderhunter: a nest of this bird was seen beautifully stitched to the undersiode of a leaf about 1 m above the ground. A photograph of the nest is available with the author.

Celeus brachyurus Rufous Woodpecker: we saw a nest with young. The beak of the nestling was sticking out of the nest. This particular species was videographed by a BBC team at Thattekad with help from Elthose. The footage is featured in Episodes 3 and 8 of The Life of Birds by David Attenborough.

Batrachostomus moniliger Ceylon Frogmouth is being studied at Thattekad by Elthose with funding from the Kerala Forest Department. This forest is one of the last stronglholds of this rare endemic bird. Elthose took us to one of the roosting sites and we were able to see a male frogmouth at close quarters. No photography was attempted as the flash was likely to disturb the bird.

Eurostopodus macrotis Great Eared-Nightjar: Two birds were seen at dusk calling and circling in the air, possibly hawking insects.

Bubo bubo Eurasian Eagle-Owl: The loud resonant tu-whoogh call was heard several times at dusk. We did not get a sighting of this bird.