Periyar National Park In Kerala

Periyar National Park, in Kerala, India, is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India, which you can see when you travel with Kerala Backwater. Situated at Thekkady in the Idukki district of Kerala, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated around the artificially created Periyar Lake.

In 1895 a dam was constructed across the Ullaperiyar River. The resultant lake and its surrounding forest area were abundant in wildlife, leading to the creating of a hunting reserve for the Maharaja of Travancore.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a Project Tiger reserve in 1978 and is one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in India. Its unique ecosystem which consists of thick moist deciduous vegetation, dense evergreen forests and the aquatic environment of the Periyar Lake make Periyar a unique and precious wildlife resource.

The animals you can see in Periyar Wildlife sanctuary are tigers, though they remain concealed in the dense jungle and elephants, which can be seen in herds and family groups along the banks of Periyar Lake.

The interaction between the elephants in a herd and their behavior while they drink, bathe and engage in mock fights and play on the lake's edge is a fascinating sight. A boat cruise on Periyar Lake a good way to observe the elephants from a short distance away, without disturbing them.

Other wild animals that you can see in Periyar are leopards, Gaur or Indian Bison, many varieties of Deer, including barking deer, chital and sambhar, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Covet Cat, mongooses, Nilgiri Langur, wild boar and many species of monkeys.

Birds seen at Periyar Wildife sanctuary include Black-winged Kite, Brahminy Kite, Great Indian Hornbill, kingfisher, darter, cormorant, barbet, plover, jacana, and many others. Over 250 species of birds have been seen at Periyar National Park. Reptiles seen in the wildlife sanctuary include crocodiles in the lake, tortoises, frogs and snakes including King Cobras and Kraits.

Extending over 777 sq Km, Periyar National Park is a pleasure to visit on your Kerala Backwater tour and you're sure to enjoy its rich variety of flora and fauna if you're a wildlife lover. The peaceful atmosphere of the sanctuary far from the busy cities of Kerala are sure to provide every tourist to Periyar wildlife sanctuary with a refreshing and restful experience.

The nearest Airport to Periyar National Park is Madurai in Tamil Nadu, which is 143 km away. Cochin Airport in Kerala is 200 km away. The nearest town to Periyar is Kumily, which is 4 Km away. There are daily buses to Kumily from Thiruvananthapuram, Madurai and Cochin. The forest department bus conveys tourists to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary from Kumily every day. Enjoy your tour to the exotic Periyar National Park with Kerala Backwater.