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Periyar National Park

Location - Thekkady, Idukki District, Kerala
Best time to visit - October to June
How to reach:-
Train - Kottayam Railway Station (101 km)
Flight - Cochin International Airport (155 km)

The Periyar National Park is one of the significant tourist attractions in Kerala, snuggled in the Western Ghat ranges. The gorgeous foliage and tranquillity of the park are best known for its protected area of tigers and elephants. The nearby attractions of the Periyar National Park include Mangla Devi Temple, Periyar Lake, Cardamom Hills, Pullumedu, etc. The adrenaline-pumping eco-tourism activities are the flagship of the national park. These activities are hosted by the locals under the administration of the forest department. The activities include a Nature Walk and a Green Walk for watching birds and butterflies and a Cloud Walk to admire the vast expanses of forests and grasslands. Apart from them, there are opportunities for bamboo rafting, jungle camping, jeep safari, boat safari, elephant safari, border hiking, and night patrolling.

periyar national park
periyar park

History - The Mullaperiyar Dam was constructed in the 12th century during the reign of the Pandayas. The dam was created across the Periyar River and consequently, an artificial lake was created at the centre of the sanctuary.

  • In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Travancore Kings occupied the area as their hunting ground, the part of the Southern Kerala of the present day.
  • In 1899, the region was declared Periyar Lake Reserve to protect the hunting areas of the rulers from the intervention of tea plantations.
  • In 1934, an area of 500 sq km approximately of the forest reserve was converted to Nellikkampatty Game Sanctuary.
  • In 1950, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was formed by encompassing some more areas to the existing one.
  • The Central Government took the initiative of Project Tiger in 1978 and the sanctuary was renamed as Periyar Tiger Reserve.
  • In 1982, around 350 sq km of the core zone of the reserve was declared as the Periyar National Park.
  • In 1992, the Central Ministry of Environment and Forests launched Project Elephant as a part of the Tiger Reserve to safeguard the free-ranging population of the Asiatic Elephants.

Jeep Safari - The jeep safari at Periyar National Park facilitates both full-day safari and night safari. The last entry time for the full-day safari is 3:00 pm and the timing for the night safari is 11:00 pm - 3:00 am.

Elephant Safari - A 30-minute ride on the elephant safari is the best way to embrace the natural charms of the forest and explore the wilderness. The time to avail the elephant safari is from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Boat Safari - The boat safari exposes the unique side of the forest’s beauty. The views are best from the upper deck of the boats and the duration of the boat cruise is one and a half hours available on frequent slots from 7:25 am to 4:00 pm.

Flora - Moist deciduous forest, Semi-evergreen deciduous forest, Tropical evergreen forest, Sandalwood, Teak, Rosewood, Banyan, Mango, Tamarind, Bamboo and Grasslands.

Fauna - Asian Elephants, Tiger, Deer, Gaur, Lion-Tailed Macaque, Indian Giant Squirrel, Small Travancore Flying Squirrel, Sloth Bear, King Cobra, Python, Malabar Pit Viper, Monitor Lizard, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Kingfisher, Little Spiderhunter, Great Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill, Rufous Bellied Hawk Eagle, etc.

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