Wildlife & Bird Sanctuatries > Periyar - by Anil Benipuri

Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats in Kerala. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial source of water for the local wildlife.

Animals found here include elephant, sambar, gaur and wild boars. In March and April, during the driest period here, the animals spend a lot of time near the lake and the elephants can be seen bathing and swimming in the reservoir. You may even get a glimpse of the tiger during this season. Periyar is also home to leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, monitor lizards and a variety of snakes and birds.

The birds include darter, cormorant, grey heron, ibis, great malabar hornbill and grey hornbill, kingfishers, ospreys and kites as well as orioles, hill mynas, racket tailed drongos, parakeets, including the unusual blue winged parakeets and fly catchers. The animals are viewed from motor launches on the lake and from watchtowers. A summer palace of the former Maharaja of Travancore set along the lake, is a hotel and a fine place to stay.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Best time to visit: October to April.

Accommodation: Lake Palace, Spice Village, Taj Garden Retreat.

Nearest town: Kumily (4 km).

HOW TO GET THERE:

By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Kottayam (114 km).

By Air: The closest airports are Cochin (200 km) or Madurai, in Tamil Nadu (140 km).

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