This perennial source of water, which initially led to the submersion of large tracts of forestland, slowly attracted wild animals.It eventually resulted in the adjoining forests being granted protection by the Maharaja of Travancore. Post-Periyar National Park 975 Periyar finds itself in the enviable position of being a national park as well as a protected tiger reserve.
Periyar (also Thekkady) is a park where one can witness playful pachyderms, whose population is currently around 800. The population of tigers is also increasing appreciably. The terrain ranges from hilly to flat grassland areas at the edges of the lakes. The vegetation is of moist deciduous type.
Wildlife Attraction
While at the Periyar you just cannot miss enjoying the Fauna. Periyar and elephants are synonymous and one cannot be thought of without the other. Herds of playful wild elephants have made Periyar Lake their favourite haunt for frolicking in the water. Scores of them can be witnessed bathing and swimming here. The Indian female elephants do not posses tusks like their African relatives. They are also not as swarthy as their African counterparts.
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Birds
Some 260 species of birds are found at Periyar. These include darters, cormorants, ibises, grey herons, mynas, flycatchers, orioles, wood pigeons, kingfishers, kites, ospreys, thrushes, and an appreciable number of blue-winged parakeets.
The Other Resident of Periyar
Other inhabitants of Periyar include the leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri langur (a primate), bonnet macaque, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar, and sloth bear. There are approximately 40 tigers in the area as per the latest reports. The tigers, along with the Nilgiri tahrs (a kind of a wild goat), are elusive creatures. However, an early morning visit, with luck on side, can yield positive results.
Fauna Attractions
The flora here is composed mainly of marshy grasslands. The forests are a mixture of grasslands, fire-resistant low-growth vegetation, deciduous forests, semi-evergreens, and tropical evergreens. It is good to be cautious of the blood-sucking leeches that are found in plenty here.
Recreation and Enjoyment at the Reserve
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve offers plenty of opportunities for recreation and enjoyment. One can swim in the lake or get permits for angling that are easily available from the forest Officer in Thekkady. Boat rides on the lake are definitely a must, and motor launches are available throughout the day from 6 am to 4 pm. Exhilarating treks through the forest to the temple of Mangla Devi can also be organised. Lectures on wildlife preservation are organized regularly at the park and these can be of help in understanding the wild creatures and their environment. Late afternoon is just right for another walk down the lakeside. The evening walk along the lake is always tinged with forebodings of danger combined with exhilaration at being in such a beautiful place.
Location:
Kumily, Kerala
Area covered: 778 sq km
Main Wildlife Found: Elephants, Tiger, leopard, Nilgiri langur
Best Time to Visit:The months of March and April constitute the driest part of the year, because of which the animals spend a lot of time near the lake in the Periyar National Park. Even the tiger may be spotted approaching the waters in the Periyar National Park. Animals may be seen from motorboats on the lake or from watchtowers set up in the Periyar National Park. There is a good chance of spotting an occasional tiger in this relatively peaceful corner of the Periyar National Park.
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