In the dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forests and grassland patches is located the Thatekkad Bird Sanctuary. Home to a microcosm of India's bird population with about 500 winged species, the sanctuary was designed by Dr. Salim Ali, the renowned ornithologist.
This bird sanctuary, a peninsular land of 25 sq. km is covered with deciduous forests and plantation of rosewood, teak etc. Rare birds like the Crimson-Throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Blackwinged Kite and the Night Heron are also commonly sighted. This rare haven offers picturesque landscapes, and is a nature lover's paradise. Bombay Natural History Society has identified 253 species here. The rivers are rich in fishlife and are shallow for most of the year.

HOW TO REACH THATEKKAD BIRD SANCTUARY
Air: Nearest airport is at Kochi, 71 kms.
Rail: Aluva is the nearest railway station , 48 kms.
 

Aaralam Wildlife Sanctuary is a tranquil little sanctuary on the slopes of the Western Ghats. The highest peak of Katti Betta, covered with tropical and semi- evergreen forests rises to a majestic height of 1145 m above sea level.
A variety of flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats is found here. Herds of deer, elephants, boar and bison are quite common. Leopards, Jungle Cats and various types of Squirrels have also been sighted.
HOW TO REACH
Air: The nearest Airport is at Kozhikode, 113 kms.
Rail: Nearest Railway Station is at Thalassery, 35 kms.
 

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique thorny scrub forest with xerophyte species.
Chinnar is the habitat of the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India. Located in the rainshadow area of the Western Ghats, unlike other sanctuaries, Chinnar has only 48 rainy days in a year.
Dry deciduous forests, high sholas and wet grasslands are also found here. As one travels from Karimuthi to Chinnar Elephants, Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Hanuman monkey and even Peacocks can be seen on either sides of the road.
Declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1984, it is spread over an area of 90,422 sq. kms. The undulated terrain with rocky patches adds to the scenic splendour of the sanctuary.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport, about 150 kms from Munnar.
Rail: Nearest railway station is at Ernakulam.
Best Time To Visit
The ideal season to visit is from December to April in the early hours of the day.
 

Kadalundi bird sanctuary, 19 kms from Kozhikode is home to more than a hundred varieties of native birds and over 60 species of migratory birds flock here in large numbers. The sanctuary is also known for a wide variety of Fish, Mussels and Crabs.
The sanctuary, which is spread over a cluster of islands, covers an area of 3 kms in a scenic area surrounded by hillocks. A hillock, which is 200 m above sea level, provides a splendid view of the river mouth and the sea.
Best Time To Visit
The ideal season to visit is from December to April in the early hours of the day.
 

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, situated on the banks of the Vembanand Lake is known for its varied avian population. Local varieties such as waterfowls, cuckoos and owls, as well as the migratory Siberian Cranes can be viewed here.
The Kumarakom Tourist Complex, sprawling over 101 acres of enchanting wooded land and lake, was built around the 50-year-old 'Baker's Mansion', which was earlier a small hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).
Now the complex has been renovated in grand style by the Taj Kerala Resorts Ltd. Boats are available on hire for a a cruise around the sanctuary.
 

Silent Valley National Park located 40 kms from Mannarkkad in the Palakkad district, echoes with the sounds of teeming wildlife.
The denizens of this sprawling habitat of endangered virgin tropical forests include Rare Birds, Deer and Tiger.
Perhaps, nowhere else can one also find such a representative collection of peninsular mammals as in this park, which was declared a national park in 1980.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Nearest airport is at Coimbatore, 55 kms.
Rail: The nearest railway station is Palakkad, 75 kms.
 

Peppara wildlife sanctuary is a 'gene pool' sanctuary, with a rich variety of flora and fauna over a rugged terrain with running rivulets, rolling hillocks and green meadows. A boat ride on the site is a fulfilling experience.
The sub tropical and tropical evergreen forests are populated with a variety of wildlife. This sanctuary with its rich fauna and birds is emerging as a big attraction to wildlife enthusiasts.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram, 50 kms.
Road: Four daily buses run from Thiruvananthapuram to Ponmudi, via Vithura.
Time To Visit: Although Peppara is theoretically open all year, the main season is from January until May.
 

One of the well known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their natural habitat.
The forest here, slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom of the hill. This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted here.
There are boat services which takes the visitor around the lake. The best season to visit the park is between October and June. Spread over 777 sq.km of the Cardamom Hills of Western Ghats, the Periyar sanctuary is located 137 km from Madurai.
Although an excursion on the splendid artificial lake is the standard way to experience the sanctuary, you can also walk around with the local guide in a small group. Wild Elephant herds come to the lake to frolic in the water.
Other attractions of the sanctuary are the Sambhar, Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers, Leopards, Malabar Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked Mongooses, etc. There are over 260 species of birds here, including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged Parakeets, White bellied Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers.
 

The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a reservoir of tranquil greenery ensconced in a valley between the Annamalai ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala.
It abounds in a variety of trees, mainly teak, neem, sandalwood and rosewood. There are two watchtowers one at Anappadi, 8km from Thunakadavu, and other at Zungam, 5km from Thunkadavu.
The rich fauna includes Bonnet Macaques, Tigers, Spectacled Cobras, Kraits, Vipers, Turtles, Darters, Little Cormorants and Black Eagles. The place is ideal for boating and trekking.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest Airport is Coimbatore, 55 kms.
Rail: The Nearest railway station: Palakkad, 125 kms.
 

The Neyyar sanctuary is spread over the Southeast corner of the Western Ghats, and covers a total area of 128 sq kms. The Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends 9.06 sq. km.
The vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands. The Agasthyarkoodam hill, 1890 metres high, lies in the premises of the sanctuary.
Declared as a sanctuary in 1958, it is the drainage basin for the Neyyar River and its tributaries - Mullayar and Kallar.
 

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