Kerala Picnic Spot

Kerala even though a highly populated small stretch of land, due to the presence of the Western Ghats along the eastern side, it has a lot of wild life sanctuaries. We list all the wild life sanctuaries of Kerala below.

Neyyar Wild Life Sanctuary Thiruvananthapuram

The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala in India is spread over the southeast corner of the Western Ghats, and covers a total area of 128 km2 (49 sq mi). The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary of which the dam is a part is the habitat of over a hundred species of fauna including Asian Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Slender Loris and reptiles like King Cobra, Travancore Tortoise, etc.

The Steve Irwin Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre at Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to around 20 mugger crocodiles. Neyyar Elephant Rehabilitation Centre complex within the area cares for several elephants, and offers elephant rides and elephant feeding. There is also a deer rehabilitation centre.

Peppara Wild Life Sanctuary Thiruvananthapuram

Lying on the outskirts of the capital city, the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 53 sq. km. on the Western Ghats and was established in 1938. The place is fascinating for its damsite, thick forest areas, crystal clear streams and rocky terrains ideal for adventure expeditions.

The Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on Thiruvananthapuram-Ponmudi Road, about 50 km northeast of Thiruvananthapuram.The area is hilly, with elevation varying from 100 metres (330 ft) to 1,717 metres (5,633 ft). The sanctuary is home to Asian elephant, sambar, leopard, lion-tailed macaque, can be seen here. Birdlife includes the endemics like Malabar Grey Hornbill, Whitebellied Treepie, Small Sunbird, etc.

Shendaruny Wild Life Sanctuary Kollam

Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary of Kollam district is a protected area in the Western Ghats, India and is part of Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve. It was established in 1984 and comprises 171 square kilometres (66 sq mi). The Sanctuary got its name from an endemic species of tree called Chenkurunji (Gluta travancorica). The sanctuary surrounds the reservoir of the Thenmala Dam.

The first eco-tourism project in India, Thenmala Eco-tourism Project has been formulated in and around Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary.

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary Ernakulam

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary often regarded as the “green lung of Kochi” is situated in the heart of Kerala’s Metro city Kochi behind the Kerala High Court building. Covering about 2.74 hectares, Mangalavanam is an ecologically sensitive area. It keeps the city’s air pollution under check. Mangalavanam, a nesting ground for a large variety of migratory birds, is a paradise for birdwatchers and twitchers.

Thattekkad Bird Sancturay Ernakulam

The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, covering an area of barely 25 km2, and located about 12 km from Kothamangalam in Ernakulam District was the first bird sanctuary in Kerala. Salim Ali, one of the best known ornithologist described this sanctuary as the richest bird habitat on peninsular India. Thattekkad literally means flat forest, and the region is an evergreen low-land forest located between the branches of Periyar River, the longest river in Kerala. More than 300 species of birds are found here. The sanctuary lies between the tributaries of the River Periyar like a peninsula.

Periyar Tiger Reserve

Periyar Tiger Reserve, the largest Wild Life Sanctuary in Kerala is situated in the Idukki and pathanamthitta District of Kerala. Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the best preserved forest regions, covering an area of 925 Sq. Km is home to rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and the Pamba. The core area (350.54 sq.Km) of Periyar Tiger Reserve is declared as Periyar National Park

Idukki Wild Life Sanctuary Idukki

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary which came into existence in 1976 and is spread over an area of 105.364 sq Km and is situated at an altitude of 450-748 m above sea level. The sanctuary lies adjacent to the world renowned Idukki Arch Dam. Elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tiger, wild boar etc. are seen here apart from various species of snakes including cobra, viper, kraits and numerous non-poisonous ones. Birds include grey jungle fowl, Malabar grey hornbill, several species of woodpeckers, bulbuls, flycatchers, etc.

Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary Idukki

With a total area of 90.44 km2, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique protected area located in the rain shadow region in the eastern slope of Western Ghats, 18 km north of Marayoor adjoining Tamilnadu. The Munnar-Udumalpet road SH 17 passes through the sanctuary for 16 km and divides it into nearly equal portions. An extensive Sandalwood forest nearby is an added attraction at Chinnar. This is also an ideal place for watching herds of gaur and elephants amble past. Dry deciduous forests, high sholas and some grasslands add to the diversity of the sanctuary.

Kurinjimala Wild Life Sanctuary Idukki

Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary is the only Sanctuary of its kind in South India declared for the conservation of the flowering shrub Nilakuriji (Strobilanthus kunthianus), that blooms gregariously once in 12 years. The name of the sanctuary is derived from the word Kurinjimala, which means the mountain of Kurinji flowers. The Kurinjimala Sanctuary is also habitat for diversity of many rare species of flora and fauna. Much of the Sanctuary is gifted with high altitude sholas and montane grasslands. Evergreen and deciduous forests are also found in the lower altitudes.

Peechi-Vazhani Wild Life Sanctuary Thrissur

The Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, the second oldest sanctuary in Kerala is situated in the catchment area of the Peechi and Vazhani dams of Thrissur district and is a good spot for nature lovers. Established in 1958, with headquartered in Peechi, this 125 sq km sanctuary is about 20 km east of Thrissur city. The sanctuary is part of the Palapilli-Nelliampathy forests and forms the Northern boundary of the Chimmini Sanctuary. Trekking and boating facilities are available here.

Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary Thrissur

Established in 1984 the Chimmini Wildlife sanctuary with an area of about 85.067 sq.km is located along the Western Ghats in Mukundapuram taluk of Thrissur District of Kerala state in India.  The sanctuary lies on the Western slopes of the Nelliyampathi Hills and along with the neighboring Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary forms a continuous protected area of 210 sq.km. It also lies just west of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, providing some habitat connectivity with the forests of that relatively large protected area and facilitates uninterrupted wildlife movements and increased diversity.

Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Palakkad

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as part of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve on February 19, 2010. The challenging hill ranges situated in Chittur taluk of Palakkad district with an area of 285 sq. km and placed at an altitude of 300 to 1438 m above sea level, the place offers a good climate with temperatures ranging from 15 degree Celsius to 32 degree Celsius. Parambikulam can boast of the first scientifically managed teak plantations of the world and also houses the world’s tallest and oldest teak tree.