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Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

About Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Kumily, Kerala
Nearest Access to Periyar : Kumily (4-kms)
Area of Periyar : 777-sq-kms

Climate: Summer Max. 32°C. Winter Min. 18 °C .
Major Attractions: Elephants, Tigers, ,Gaur , Wild Dogs, Nilgiri Tahr

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts of Kerala, India. It is one of the most popular national parks in south India. The protected area of 925 km2 is an important tiger and elephant reserve. It is also known by the name of Thekkady and its core area of 350 km2 was declared as Periyar National Park in 1982. Periyar National Park is famous for its natural beauty and elephants.
There are many attractions inside the park, including the Periyar Lake. This lake was created during the British rule in India as a result of construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam in 1895. A boat ride in Periyar Lake is an excellent way to observe the wildlife of the park.

Wildlife in Periyar National Park

Periyar rich biodiversity includes a variety of vegetation, animal and bird species. Various species of tropical trees can be found in this denser forest region of the park. These tropical trees are generally very tall and can reach up to 50 meters of height. Also, around 2000 kinds of different flowering plants are available inside the park. Around 350 species of plants from this park are used for medicinal purposes.
Elephants, numbering around 1000, can be easily seen inside the protected area. The park also maintains a healthy population of tigers. Gaur, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, Indian wild dogs, mongoose, foxes and leopards are the other animals found inside the park. Darters, cormorants, kingfishers, the great Malabar Pied Hornbill and racket-tailed Drongos are some of the 320 species of birds living inside the park.

Special Attractions in Periyar National Park

Periyar Lake: The Periyar Lake is an artificial lake created due to the construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam on the Periyar River. It helps the avifauna population of the region to grow without human interference.

Kumily : Kumily is a nearby town that is a major tourist attraction and a spice trading destination.

Cardamom Hills : Then Kerala’s picturesque and beautiful cardomom hills can be easily accessed from Periyar and Kumily. A guide who accompanies you in the jeep or taxi elaborates and directs you towards the correct position to have a panoramic view of the hills.

Boat Cruises : Boat Cruises are available on the Periyar Lake. It is the best way to explore the beauty of Periyar National Park. The boat cruise is an excellent way to see birds and wild animals on the edges of the lake.

Apart from the elephant safari in the park and the boat cruises on the lake; one can also enjoy the treks to the ruined Mangala Devi temple – an ages old beautiful old stone temple amidst the Thekkady forest.

Elephant and jeep safaris are also available inside the park. Elephant safari allows the tourists to get to those areas BOOK NOWwhich are not easily assessable by jeep safari.

Best Time to Visit Periyar

Air : Kochi (Cochin) at 200-kms or Madurai in Tamil Nadu at140-kms are the nearest airports from Periyar.

Rail : Kottayam at 114-kms is the nearest railhead from Periyar.

Road : Kumily, the nearest town from Periyar is well served by both state and private buses from Kottayam, Ernakulam and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

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    Location of Bandhavgarh National Park
    Located on the Vindhyan hill range, the altitude of Bandhavgarh National Park varies from between 44 to 81 meter above sea level. The nearest airport is in Khajuraho, which is 240 km away (4-hour drive). Umaria is the nearest railway station located 48 km away.
    Bandhavgarh National Park Climate
    Winter nights are freezing (2°C; 36°F), summer unpleasantly hot (maximum 42°C; 108°F
    When to go?
    February to May is favourable; park remains closed from beginning July to end October).
    How to Reach Bandhavgarh National Park
    Private bus and car hire available from Umaria (32km; 20 miles), Amarpatan (80km; 50 miles), Shahdol (97km; 60 miles) and Rewa (105km; 65 miles), as well as from Khajoraho and Satna.
    Facilities at Park
    Accommodation provided by the MPSTDC (Wriite Tiger Forest Lodge) and many private lodges at Tala (Bandhavgarh Jungle Camp - former Maharaja of Rewa's palace - and Tiger Trails). Visitors may enter park in their own vehicles (petrol only as diesel banned here); alternatively hire a taxi at Tala (park entry point). Park open from dawn to dusk. At entry gate, trained guides with interpretive skills can lead visitors through the park.
    Booking for Bandhavgarh National Park
    Prior booking essential; write to: The Manager, White Tiger Forest Lodge, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation: Umaria. Shahdol District, Madhya Pradesh; dr Tourist Officer, Head Office, MPSTDC, 4th Floor Gangotri,T T Nagar,Bhopal.
    Conservation History
    Long before India got its independence, Bandhavgarh Fort was the ruling seat of the kings of Rewa. In 1617 AD, the rulers of Rewa deserted the fort and moved to a new location of Rewa town. After independence, the forest of Bandhavgarh started degrading due to negligence from the government. Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa, after seeing the slow destruction of the forest, proposed that the forest area should be protected and conserved. In 1968, an area of 105 sq. km was declared as national park and was increased to 438 sq. km later in 1982. In 1993, Bandhavgarh National Park became a part of Project Tiger.
    Archeology
    Mythologically the fort was built by Lord Rama for his brother Laxman, during Ramayan period. There are a number of man made caves (35) in Bandhavgarh with inscriptions and carvings, which date back between about 129-168 A.D. Statues of various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, which were carved out of single rocks are found in the fort. "Sheshshaiya" the statue of lord Vishnu in reclining pose is the biggest of all and attracts every tourist. These statues date back to 10-11th Century A.D.
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    The Wildlife conservation is a long-term commitment and journey that requires
    the cooperation of everyone in the community.