Periyar National Park

Periyar National Park

State : Kerala Area : 925 sq. km Altitude: 1,200 - 1,700 m Vegetation : Tropical Evergreen & moist deciduous  

Periyar wildlife sanctuary has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed in 1895, the Periyar Lake was formed, after the Government of the erstwhile Travancore State permitted the Madras State to construct the Mullaperiyar Dam across Periyar River to provide irrigation facilities to Tamil Nadu 
The Periyar reservoir is the dominating feature of Periyar Tiger Reserve.  
The river originating from the evergreen forest merges in the reservoir catchment area before proceeding to meet the Arabian sea 250 km onwards. Rolling green hills, tropical evergreen forest patches interspersed with grasslands and marshy flatlands of Periyar are core to a vibrant ecosystem at the center of Periyar's success as an amazing natural destination. 
In 1934, it was named the Nellikampetty Sanctuary. The Maharaja of Travencore understood the importance of its conservation and appointed S.C.H Robinson as its game warden. In 1966 a merger with the local forest department took place and in 1978 it became a tiger reserve. 
Since then, the central area of 377 sq/km is listed as a reserve under the Project Tiger. The total area of the sanctuary including the forest covers 777 sq/km. The damed Periyar Lake is spread over 26 sq/Km.

The park is a repository of rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and the Pamba.

Periyar is prime elephant country and large herds are commonly sighted near the lake shore foraging or playing in the water. It is also home to tigers, sambar, gaur, lion-tailed Macaques and Nilgiri Langurs. 

Periyar Boat ride : Boat cruises make the best option to check out the wilds of Periyar Sanctuary.Today the Periyar lake presents an excellent boating spot for tourists. Although it is unusual to see many animals from the boats, still you spot a family of Elephants, Wild Boar, and Sambar Deer by the water’s edge. The upper deck is best for wildlife viewing when taking a boat cruise, but better turn up half an hour early to get the best seat. To maximise you chances, take the 7.00 am boat. You can also consider renting your own boat.

Fauna : There are officially about 40 tigers in the reserve, but sighting one is difficult due to the thick evergreen vegetation. More than 30 species of fish are found in the lake. Gaur or wild buffalo can be seen grazing along the hillsides during treks and one may also encounter playful Malabar squirrels here.
Periyar is also home to four primates species; two of these are endangered: the Lion-tailed Macaque and the Bonnet Macaque. 

Avi Fauna : A large variety of birds include Great Cormorants and Darters are commonly seen, as well as   Changeable Hawk Eagles, Ospreys Woolly necked Storks, Great Hornbills, rare fruit bats, racket tailed drongos, and grey heron..