Periyar National Park– Opening Date, How to Reach, Safari Timing

Periyar National Park is situated in Thekkady, Kerala and it is one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world. It is exceptionally renowned among the tourists as an elephant and tiger reserve. The whole park is spread around 357 square miles of land.

Two major streams, Pamba and Periyar, go through the national park which helps the vegetation to flourish in this area. It pulls in a large number of tourists from all over the globe consistently for its famous Periyar national park Safari, Boating, and Different adventurous activities. The national park is perched on the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the South Western Ghats. The north and the eastern fringes of the park are secured by the mountains. The west part of the park is restricted by a plateau. From the level, the land soaks down to the valley of Pamba. The most noteworthy crest in this park is Kottamalai, which stands at 2,019m.

This rich bio-diverse land was framed from the streams. The park likewise incorporates a water repository, which gives year-round water to the natural life present there. The park is the home to the rare, endemic, and endangered flora and fauna.

The park is being decorated with a beautiful lake at the core of the sanctuary which is an artificial 100 years Old Lake of Thekkady and is essentially known for its wild elephants and thickly settled Western Ghats woods. A large number of the intense valleys of Periyar id dotted with the tropical evergreen woods with very thick trees, which are spread thickly. It’s impossible for the sunrays even to peep through them.

These trees are completely developed at the astounding statures of up to 130-140 feet. A portion of the regions in the park contains muddy meadows close to the edges of the lake and other water bodies. Spread out over the park are several semi-evergreen backwoods utilized as significant spread by numerous wildlife species.

History of the Park:

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the reserve was the chasing ground of the Travancore rulers, which is today the piece of the vast majority of Southern Kerala. In 1899, the zone was announced as a forest reserve called the Periyar Lake Reserve with an expectation of ensuring the chasing zones of the rulers from the infringement of tea ranches.

Further, in 1934, the reserve was changed over into a game sanctuary, the Nellikkampatty Game Sanctuary. The Game Sanctuary secured territory of around 500 sq. km. In 1950, some more territories were added to make the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. In 1978, the park was incorporated into the Central Government activity to be known as the Project Tiger and was renamed as Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Wildlife in the Park:

Periyar National Park is famous for its wildlife. In addition to the Elephants, different creatures that can be found in the Periyar Sanctuary are, Wild Pigs, Sambar, Gaur, Mouse Deer, Dole or Barking Deer, Indian Wild Dog and Tiger. There are, presently evaluated includes 40 tigers in the Periyar National Park.

The significant four types of primates are also found at Periyar - the uncommon lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Gee's Golden Langur, Common Langur, and Bonnet Macaque. Periyar is additionally being considered as the living space of the tricky Nilgiri Tahr, which can seldom be seen, yet lauds its essence in the park.

Flora in the Park

The Periyar Tiger Reserve comprises tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen and clammy deciduous woods. Its lawful status as a National Park is as yet pending and just a single notice has been issued. It was announced as Project Tiger Reserve in 1978 and the principal inquire about its status was followed in 1991. The examination pursued 49 types of vertebrates, 246 types of winged creatures, 28 types of reptiles, 8 types of creatures of land and water, 22 types of fishes and 112 types of butterflies.

The territory of Periyar swells with grand pinnacles of more than 1700 meters flanking the north and east. Towards the west, it converges into a broad table-land that is known for Mount Plateau with a normal rise of 1200 meters. From the edge of this level, the land falls steeply to the thickly forested tracts of Sabarimala slopes in the Pamba River bowl.

Tourist Places near Periyar National Park:

Periyar Lake:

The Periyar Lake is situated in the sanctuary zone and the park is named after this lake. The visitors can see the full scenario of the park with a Periyar National Park boat safari on this lake.

Mangala Devi Temple:

The Mangala Devi Temple is situated at a distance of around 15 km from the locale of Thekkady. With old Pandian type engineering at the height of 1337 m on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu outskirt, the sanctuary draws in numerous pilgrims. Prayers are made in this 2000 years of age temple just once in a year on a full moon day in the middle of the long stretch of April and May.

Kumily:

A small community close to Thekkady and Periyar which is best known for cardamom hills situated in the area of Idukki in Kerala. Because of the bounty of the essence of blessed temples, this spot draws in both nature lovers as well as the spiritual souls.

Pullumedu:

Situated at a distance of 43 km from Thekkady, Pullumedu is the place well known for wildlife sanctuaries and greeneries all around. Besides, tourists can likewise get the opportunity to visit Shri Ayappa Temple and the Makara Jyothi temple at this district.

Best Season to Visit the Park:

December to March is the best time because of the absence of downpour and exceptionally low temperature. The various animals, migratory birds, and butterflies are simpler to spot during this season. Photography are alive when taken during this time.