|
|
Periyar Tiger Reserve Kerala
About Periyar Tiger Reserve
Situated within the confines of the Western Ghats in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Periyar Tiger Reserve and National Park is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world. In 1895, the British undertook water resource management plans for the area and started work on a dam and an artificial lake under the auspices of Col. J. Pennycuick. The picturesque lake in the heart of the Periyar Tiger Reserve was originally 26 sq km but now spans an area of 55 sq km. 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-1975 Periyar finds itself in the enviable position of being a Tiger Reserve as well as a protected tiger reserve.
Periyar Tiger Reserve (also known as Thekkady) is a park where one can witness playful pachyderms, whose population is currently around 800. The population of tigers is also increasing appreciably in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The terrain in Periyar Tiger Reserve ranges from hilly to flat grassland areas at the edges of the lakes. The vegetation of Periyar Tiger Reserve is of moist deciduous type.
Best time to visit Periyar Tiger Reserve
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 Tiger Reserve. Even the tiger may be spotted approaching the waters in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Animals may be seen from motorboats on the lake or from watchtowers set up in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. A special permission is required to travel by boat to the source of the artificial lake, the River Periyar. This area is generally not open for tourists, but is the favourite haunt of the sloth bear. There is a good chance of spotting an occasional tiger in this relatively peaceful corner of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. One can also form a group and go on a walking tour in the Periyar Tiger Reserve with locally available guides.
Periyar Exclusives
Back Next
|