|
Located by the side of the river Periyar, the Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary is the main attraction of Thekkady. Spread over
an area of about 777 sq km with about 360 sq. km of which
is thick evergreen forest, the sanctuary was declared a
Tiger Reserve in 1978. However, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
can also be recognised as one of the natural treasure houses
of some of the rare species of flora and fauna. The flora
of the park includes over 1965 flowering plants, 171 grass
species, 143 species of orchids and the only South Indian
conifer Podocarpus Wallichianus. Apart from the tigers,
the fauna of the park includes wild elephant, gaur, sambar
deer, wild boar, Nilgir Tahr, lion tailed macaque, bonnet
macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, tiger,
jungle cat, sloth bear, hornbill, stork, woodpecker, kingfisher,
raptor, cormorant, grackle, darter, cobra, viper, krait,
monitor lizards, frogs, toads, masheer (famous and endangered
game fish of India) and otter.
|
The lake of the
Periyar wildlife sanctuary makes an important site to visit
in Thekkady. This splendid artificial lake formed by the
Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm
of the park. A wonderful palace located in the heart of
the Periyar Lake attracts a lot of visitors. The greatest
attraction of Periyar Lake however is the herds of wild
elephants that come down to play in the lake. Periyar is
the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique
experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters form the
safety of a boat on the lake. 
