The Kerala Backwaters

Kerala - the enchanting tourist destination offers exciting opportunity for the tourists to experience the rustic charm of the state cruising on the traditional houseboats called Kettuvallam. These backwaters of Kerala have loads of natural beauty featuring exotic waterways, riverine estuaries, and pristine lakes that form an intermeshed network of the along the coast of Kerala.

The Kerala backwaters are made up of 900km of interconnected waterways, rivers, lakes and inlets. This network is fed by 38 rivers and is made up of 5 large lakes that are connected by various canals which are both natural as well as manmade. This chain of lagoons lying parallel with the Arabian sea is also called the Malabar coast and extends across almost half of Kerala's coastline. The Kerala backwater offers visitors a quiet, tranquil getaway with the cozy houseboats for tourists to stay in and enjoy the beauty of the backwaters and the small towns near the backwaters.

Nature has showered Kerala with myriad of gifts and probably the best in India. And the scintillating backwaters are one them that sparkle like diamond on the face of this state. They have in fact become the greatest attraction due to their exceptional beauty and astounding tranquility. Backwaters of Kerala have played a major role in boosting up the tourism in the state hence contributing to the national income of India.

Not only these backwaters are the charming, but they also serve as a source of livelihood for the people of Kerala, as major population here depends on the marine life and vegetation. Backwater of Kerala are the series of interconnected waterways, rivers, lakes, inlets and riverine estuaries that form the enmeshed network along the Kerala coast. Some of the famous backwater destination in Kerala are the Alleppey, Kumarakom, Mararikulam, Cochin and Kozhikode.

Kovalam Beach Kerala

Yeah! It is a paradise. Kovalam is famous for its beaches, among the most pristine in India. It is about 17 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, the capital of the southern state of Kerala in India. Kovalam Beach is popular region comprising three beaches situated in the state of Kerala in the south of India. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular of the three.

Many hotels, restaurants, lodges and shops are located here. It is frequented by outsiders who stay and enjoy Kovalam Beach. The Northern most crescent is crowded on the weekends, is very popular with the locals, day-travelers, and passing-by tourist buses. Hawa Beach, is among one of the beaches in India where top-less sunbathing is tolerated and well appreciated by the locals, who come on the weekends to admire this view free of charge.

The tourism department provides a vigilant life guard service on both Lighthouse and Hawa beach. Those expecting a replica of Goa will be pleasantly surprised by the more relaxed atmosphere,a bit more laid back,the food a touch softer and lighter.

Kovalam Beach is about 16 km (20 minutes in a taxi) from Trivandrum. Taxis can charge around 400-500 rupees to get to Kovalam. When asked where you want to go, say Hawa Beach, Leela Beach/Main Beach or Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam.

In an auto-rickshaw 250-300 rupees is a fair price, avoid going above 300 rupees. If in doubt ask to use the meter, but in reality they really don’t work at all. Advice being if they are trying to rip you off go to leave for another rickshaw and they will often back down and offer you a fair price, if not, get in a different rickshaw. Even if India is a cheap country, the prices for gasoline are international standard, so don’t expect super cheap private transportation. If you go by public bus from Trivandrum-East Fort to Kovalam Beach you only pay 8 Rps. for the half hour trip.

Buses to Trivandrum can also be caught from Kovalum Junction as well as Amabassador taxis and Autos to pretty much anywhere. Be very careful walking around the junction, especially at night, as there are no traffic lights and the street lighting is very minimal. The intersection can be busy.

Tourist taxis are the most convenient way to travel around attractions, especially while travelling in a group. Most airports and railway stations have tourist taxi services that would take you anywhere you would want to go.

A more adventurous option is to get a bike on hire. The highway is a pleasure to drive on, with the cool breeze and coconut palms lined along the way. Once on the highway, drive north for the plains, drive south for the hills. Avoid driving through Thiruvananthapuram city, it’s congested. The old highway, also called MC road, is also good to drive on. The MC road can take you deep into the hills. Try out the throaty Enfield 350 CC bikes for a truly vintage experience, check your fuel levels before you leave.

Two wheelers do not have to pay the highway toll, simply ride through the side lane.

Just Varkala Drive north on the highway for about an hour (55 km). It has a superb beach and cliff front and the usual tourist amenities. The quiet sandy beaches and large lakes of Paravur (65 km from Kovalam) are also close to Varkala and are hidden away. Paravur is a shared secret among those seeking a more peaceful getaway.

Ponmudi is also a nice semi-hill station located about 1 1/2 hours from Kovalam.

Only worth to visit at Neyyar Dam if you do not know what else to do. It is a water reservoir. No other curiosities except some crocodiles kept in cages. Better spend the time on the beach.

Backwater Tours between Kovalam and Trivandrum there are backwater trips available that can be booked at Kovalam Beach itself. Small boats for 4-6 persons. A nice experience.

If you like adventure then go for surfing. Yeah some fine waves from time to time (0.5 – 2 meters). You can hire surf boards and body boards on the beach from $6USD a day. Body boarding can be enjoyed by anyone. Surfing takes a bit more skill. It is wise to follow the life-guards’ instructions as there are some strong currents that can suddenly whisk the unwary out to sea.

Source : Kovalam Beach Kerala

Hill Palace Museum, Kerala - 123

The official residence of the Kochi Royal family, it is now a full-fledged ethno-archaeological and heritage museum of Kerala. On display are paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, inscriptions and coins etc.

Guys, Hill Palace Museum is located 10 km from Ernakulam town, central Kerala. You can see here Kerala's first heritage museum. Royal collections of the erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi.

The Hill Palace, the official residence of the Kochi royal family, is today the largest archaeological museum in Kerala.

This museum was built in 1865, the palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala, sprawled over 52 acres of beautifully landscaped terraced land which houses a deer park and facilities for horse riding. Numerous species of flora including rare medicinal plants grow here.

On display in the full-fledged Ethno-archaeological museum are oil-paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, belongings of the Kochi royal family and royal furniture including the simhasana (throne).

This museum also displayed over 200 antique pieces of pottery and ceramic vases from Japan and China, Kudakkallu (tomb stone), Thoppikkallu (hood stone), menhirs, granite, laterite memorials, rock cut weapons from the stone ages, wooden temple models, plaster cast models of objects from Mohanjodaro and Harappa of the Indus Valley Civilisation. This museum also houses a gallery of contemporary art.

Getting there:

Nearest Railway Station : Ernakulam, about 10 km

Nearest Airport : Cochin International Airport, about 30 km

You can visit here 9.00 to 12.30 hrs. and 14.00 to 16.30 hrs. on all days except Mondays.

Related Links :

01. Museums and Art Gallaries of India : A Survey - 1
02. Museums of Jammu and Kashmir : Sri Pratap Singh Museum Srinagar - 2
03. Art Gallery Jammu :Dogra Art Gallery - 3
04. Himachal Pradesh : The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives Dharmshala - 4
05. Himachal Pradesh : Bhuri Singh Museum, Shimla - 5
06. Shimla State Museum - 6
07. The Nicholas Roerich Gallery, Shimla - 7
08. Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Summerhil, Shimla - 8
09. Uruswati Himalayan Folk Art Museum, Naggar - 9
10. Punjab and Haryana : Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum, Amritsar - 10
11. Government Museum and Art Callery, Chandigarh - 11
12. The Chandigarh Architecture Museum - 12
13. The Natural History Museum, Chandigarh - 13
14. Anglo Sikh War Memorial Ferozeshah - 14
15. Art Gallery, Patiala - 15
16. Sanghol Museum, Chandigarh - 16
17. New Delhi : The National Museum - 17
18. The National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi - 18
19. The Rail Museum - 19
20. The Nehru Memorial Museum, New Delhi - 20
21. The Gandhi Memorial Museum (Rajghat) and the Gandhi Smriti Museum (Tees January Marg) - 21
22. Tibet House Museum, New Delhi - 22
23. The Archaeological Museum at the Red Fort, New Delhi - 23
24. International Dolls Museum, New Delhi - 24
25. The Crafts Museum at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi - 25
26. Museum of Natural History, New Delhi - 26
27. Allahabad Museum, Uttar Pradesh - 27
28. Sarnath Archaeological Museum, Varansi, Uttar Pradesh - 28
29. Government Museum Mathura, Uttar Pradesh - 29
30. Bharat Kala Bhawan, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - 30
31. Lucknow State Museum - 31
32. Rajasthan Government Museum, Ajmer, Rajasthan - 32
33. Government Museum, Alwar, Rajasthan - 33
34. Archaeological Museum, Ajmer, Rajasthan - 34
35. Virat Nagar Museum, Bairat - 35
36. Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum, Bikaner - 36
37. Government Museum, Bharatpur - 37
38. Fort Museum, Bikaner - 38
39. Fateh Prakash Palace Museum, Chittorgarh - 39
40. The Maharaj Sawai Madho Singh Museum, Jaipur - 40
41. Government Central Museum, Jaipur - 41
42. Juneja Art Gallery, Jaipur - 42
43. Maharaja Sawai Man Singh (II) Museum, Jaipur (1) - 43
44. Maharaja Sawai Man Singh (II) Museum, Jaipur (2) - 44
45. Museum of Indology, Jaipur - 45
46. Hawa Mahal Museum, Jaipur - 46
47. Folklore Museum, Jaisalmer - 47
48. Government Museum, Jaisalmer - 48
49. Government Museum, Jhalawar - 49
50. Government Museum, Jodhpur - 50
51. Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum, Jodhpur - 51
52. Government Museum, Kota - 52
53. Mehrangarh Fort Museum, Jodhpur - 53
54. City Palace Museum, Udaipur - 54
55. Shilp Gram, Udaipur - 55
56. Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum, Udaipur - 56
57. Calico Museum of Textile, Ahmedabad, Gujarat (1) - 57
58. Calico Museum of Textile, Ahmedabad, Gujarat (2) - 58
59. Archaeological Museum, Lothal - 59
60. Utensil Museum, Ahmedabad - 60
61. Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery - 61
62. Government Archaeological Museum, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh - 62
63. The Gujari Mahal Museum, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh - 63
64. Central Museum, Indore, Madhya Pradesh - 64
65. Sarod Ghar, Gwalior - 65
66. Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, Maharashtra - 66
67. National Gallery of Modern art, Mumbai - 67
68. Chhaptrapati Shivaji Vastu Sanghralaya, Mumbai - 68
69. Mani Bhawan Gandhi Sangralaya, Mumbai - 69
70. Bhau Daji Lad Museum (Victoria and Albert Museum), Mumbai - 70
71. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai - 71
72. Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Pune - 72
73. Sculpture Gallery, Goa - 73
74. Christian Art Gallery, Goa - 74
75. Banerji Art Gallery, Goa - 75
76. Religious Expression Gallery - 76
77. Cultural Anthropology Gallery, Goa - 77
78. Contemporary Art Gallery and Western Bronze Gallery, Goa - 78
79. Jalan Museum, Patna, Bihar - 79
80. Nalanda Archaeological Museum - 80
81. Patna Museum - 81
82. Assam State Museum, Gauhati - 82
83. Indian Museum, Kolkata, West Bengal - 83
84. Ashutosh Museum of Indian Art, Kolkata - 84
85. Victoria Memorial Museum, Kolkata - 85
86. Bangiya Sahita Parishad Chitrasala, Kolkata - 86
87. Birla Academy of Art and Culture Museum, Kolkata - 87
88. Crafts Museum, Kolkata - 88
89. Nehru Children’s Museum, Kolkata - 89
90. Rabindra Bharati Museum, Kolkata - 90
91. Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, Kolkata - 91
92. Asiatic Society Museum, Kolkata - 92
93. Kolkata Panorama at Town Hall - 93
94. Orissa State Museum, Bhubaneshwar - 94
95. Archaeological Museum, Konark - 95
96. Archaeological Museum, Amaravathi - 96
97. Bhagavan Mahavir Government Museum, Cuddapah - 97
98. Salarjung Museum, Hyderabad - 98
99. State Archaeological Museum, Hyderabad - 99
100. Kolanupaka Site Museum - 100
101. Nagarjunakonda Museum - 101
102. Victoria Jubilee Regional Museum, Vijaywada - 102
103. Sri Venketeswara Museum, Tirupati, Chittoor - 103
104. Archaeological Museum Badami and Aihole, Karnataka - 104
105. Archaeological Museum Halebid - 105
106. Karnataka Government Museum and Venkatappa Art Gallery, Bangalore - 106
107. Technical Museum (Vishweshwaraiah Museum), Bangalore - 107
108. Gandhi Bhavan, (Kumara Krupa Road), Bangalore - 108
109. Hal Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum, Bangalore - 109
110. Archaeological Museum, Bijapur - 110
111. The Tipu Sultan Museum - 111
112. The Government Museum Ooty, Tamil Nadu - 112
113. The Government Museum, Vellore - 113
114. Silappathikara Art Gallery - 114
115. Government State Museum, Chennai - 115
116. Fort St. George Museum, Chennai - 116
117. Dakshinachitra, Chennai - 117
118. Sri Meenakshi Sundaresvara Temple Museum, Madurai - 118
119. Palace and Museum, Padmanabhapuram - 119
120. Pondicherry Museum - 120
121. The Government Museum, Padukkottai - 121
122. The Government Museum, Salem - 122

Wildlife in Kerala : Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary - 75

Guys, this Sanctuary is situated next to the Central State Farm at Aralam in Kannur District, Deer, boar, elephant, sloth bear, sambar, bison, leopard, jungle cat and different types of squirrel are some of the inhabitants of this sanctuary.

Where to stay:

Accommodation is available at Irutty, near the sanctuary.

How to get there:

Nearest bus stations: Thalasseri (45 kms.), Kannur (46 kms.)

Nearest railway station: Thalasseri

Nearest Airport: Kozhikode (113 kms. from Irutty)

Contact:

The Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife),
Thiruvananthapuram - 695 014,
Telefax : 0471-3222217,

The Wildlife Warden,
Aralam Wildlife Division,
Kannur,
Tel. : 0490 - 493160.

The Assistant Wildlife Warden,
Irutty,
Kannur District- 670 673.

Related Links :

01. Nature and WildLife of India : WildLife Protection Act 1972 - 1
02. Wildlife in Jammu and Kashmir - 2
03. Corbett National Park (Project Tiger) : Wildlife in Uttaranchal - 3
04. Rajaji National Park - 4
05. Wildlife in Uttar Pradesh : Dudhwa National Park - 5
06. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Bharatpur National Park - 6
07. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Ranthambore National Park (Project Tiger) - 7
08. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Sariska Tiger Reserve - 8
09. Wildlife in Gujarat : Gir National Park and Sanctuary - 9
10. Wild Ass Sanctuary - 10
11. Wildlife in Madhya Pradesh : Bandhavgarh National Park - 11
12. Wildlife in Madhya Pradesh : Kanha National Park - 12
13. Wildlife in Bihar : Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary - 13
14. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary - 14
15. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Palmau Tiger Reserve - 15
16. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary - 16
17. Wildlife in West Bengal : Sunderbans National Park and Tiger Reserve - 17
18. Wildlife in West Bengal : Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary - 18
19. Wildlife in Assam : Manas Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve - 19
20. Wildlife in Assam : Kaziranga National Park - 20
21. Wildlife in Arunachal Pradesh : Namdhapa National Park (Project Tiger) - 21
22. Wildlife in Orissa : Tikarpara Gharial Sanctuary - 22
23. Wildlife in Orissa : Ushakotih Wildlife Sanctuary - 23
24. Wildlife in Orissa : Bhitarkanika Sanctuary - 24
25. Wildlife in Orissa : Similipal Tiger Reserve (Project Tiger) - 25
26. Wildlife in Orissa : Nandankanan Biological Park and Chandka Elephant Reserve - 26
27. Wildlife in Orissa : Chilika Lake - 27
28. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Nehru Zoological Park and Kwala Sanctuary - 28
29. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Pranahita Sanctuary - 29
30. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Pakhal Santuary - 30
31. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Kinnerasani Sanctuary - 31
32. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Papikonda Sanctuary - 32
33. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Coringa Sanctuary - 33
34. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Kolleru Sanctuary - 34
35. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Krishna Sanctuary - 35
36. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Pocharam Sanctuary - 36
37. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Manjira Sanctuary and Nagarjunasagar - Srisailam Sanctuary (Project Tiger) - 37
38. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Rollapadu Sanctuary - 38
39. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Gunda Brahmeswaram Sanctuary - 39
40. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Sri Lankamalleswara Sanctuary - 40
41. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Pulicat Sanctuary - 41
42. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Kaundinya Sanctuary (Project Elephant) - 42
43. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Sri Venkateswara Sanctuary and National Park - 43
44. Wildlife in Karnataka : Bandipur National Park (Project Tiger) - 44
45. Wildlife in Karnataka : Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary - 45
46. Wildlife in Karnataka : Bhimeshwari Wildlife Sanctuary - 46
47. Wildlife in Karnataka : Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary - 47
48. Wildlife in Karnataka - Nagarhole National Park - 48
49. Wildlife in Karnataka : Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary - 49
50. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Anamali Wildlife Sanctuary (Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctaury) - 50
51. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park - 51
52. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Mukkurthi National Park - 52
53. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary (Project Tiger) - 53
54. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Mundanthurai Sanctuary - 54
55. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary - 55
56. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary - 56
57. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Guindy National Park - 57
58. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary - 58
59. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Vallanadu Black Buck Santuary - 59
60. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Vedanthangal and Karikili Bird Sanctuaries - 60
61. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Arinagar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai - 61
62. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park - 62
63. Wildlife in Kerala : Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary - 63
64. Wildlife in Kerala : Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary - 64
65. Wildlife in Kerala : Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkady) - 65
66. Wildlife in Kerala : Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary - 66
67. Wildlife in Kerala : Eravikulam National Park - 67
68. Wildlife in Kerala : Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary - 68
69. Wildlife in Kerala : Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary - 69
70. Wildlife in Kerala : Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary - 70
71. Wildlife in Kerala : Pecchi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary - 71
72. Wildlife in Kerala : Silent Valley National Park - 72
73. Wildlife in Kerala : Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary - 73
74. Wildlife in Kerala : Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary - 74

Wildlife in Kerala : Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary - 74

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is in integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. In addition to elephants it also houses species like tiger, panther, jungle cat, civet cat, monkey, wild dog, bison, deer, bear etc. The tiger population in the sanctuary is also fairly good. Birds like the peacock, babbler, cuckoo, owl, woodpecker, jungle fowl etc. are also found in plenty.

Where to stay:

Accommodation is available at Irutty, near the sanctuary.

How to get there:

Nearest bus stations: Thalasseri (45 kms.) Kannur (45 kms).

Nearest railway station: Thalasseri.

Nearest Airport: Kozhikode (113 kms from Irutty).

Contact:

The Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Thiruvananthapuram - 695 014, Telefax: 0471-3222217.

The Wildlife Warden, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Sultan Batthery Wayanand. Tel. : 0493-620454

Related Links :

01. Nature and WildLife of India : WildLife Protection Act 1972 - 1
02. Wildlife in Jammu and Kashmir - 2
03. Corbett National Park (Project Tiger) : Wildlife in Uttaranchal - 3
04. Rajaji National Park - 4
05. Wildlife in Uttar Pradesh : Dudhwa National Park - 5
06. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Bharatpur National Park - 6
07. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Ranthambore National Park (Project Tiger) - 7
08. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Sariska Tiger Reserve - 8
09. Wildlife in Gujarat : Gir National Park and Sanctuary - 9
10. Wild Ass Sanctuary - 10
11. Wildlife in Madhya Pradesh : Bandhavgarh National Park - 11
12. Wildlife in Madhya Pradesh : Kanha National Park - 12
13. Wildlife in Bihar : Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary - 13
14. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary - 14
15. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Palmau Tiger Reserve - 15
16. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary - 16
17. Wildlife in West Bengal : Sunderbans National Park and Tiger Reserve - 17
18. Wildlife in West Bengal : Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary - 18
19. Wildlife in Assam : Manas Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve - 19
20. Wildlife in Assam : Kaziranga National Park - 20
21. Wildlife in Arunachal Pradesh : Namdhapa National Park (Project Tiger) - 21
22. Wildlife in Orissa : Tikarpara Gharial Sanctuary - 22
23. Wildlife in Orissa : Ushakotih Wildlife Sanctuary - 23
24. Wildlife in Orissa : Bhitarkanika Sanctuary - 24
25. Wildlife in Orissa : Similipal Tiger Reserve (Project Tiger) - 25
26. Wildlife in Orissa : Nandankanan Biological Park and Chandka Elephant Reserve - 26
27. Wildlife in Orissa : Chilika Lake - 27
28. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Nehru Zoological Park and Kwala Sanctuary - 28
29. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Pranahita Sanctuary - 29
30. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Pakhal Santuary - 30
31. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Kinnerasani Sanctuary - 31
32. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Papikonda Sanctuary - 32
33. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Coringa Sanctuary - 33
34. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Kolleru Sanctuary - 34
35. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Krishna Sanctuary - 35
36. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Pocharam Sanctuary - 36
37. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Manjira Sanctuary and Nagarjunasagar - Srisailam Sanctuary (Project Tiger) - 37
38. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Rollapadu Sanctuary - 38
39. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Gunda Brahmeswaram Sanctuary - 39
40. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Sri Lankamalleswara Sanctuary - 40
41. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Pulicat Sanctuary - 41
42. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Kaundinya Sanctuary (Project Elephant) - 42
43. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Sri Venkateswara Sanctuary and National Park - 43
44. Wildlife in Karnataka : Bandipur National Park (Project Tiger) - 44
45. Wildlife in Karnataka : Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary - 45
46. Wildlife in Karnataka : Bhimeshwari Wildlife Sanctuary - 46
47. Wildlife in Karnataka : Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary - 47
48. Wildlife in Karnataka - Nagarhole National Park - 48
49. Wildlife in Karnataka : Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary - 49
50. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Anamali Wildlife Sanctuary (Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctaury) - 50
51. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park - 51
52. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Mukkurthi National Park - 52
53. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary (Project Tiger) - 53
54. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Mundanthurai Sanctuary - 54
55. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary - 55
56. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary - 56
57. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Guindy National Park - 57
58. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary - 58
59. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Vallanadu Black Buck Santuary - 59
60. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Vedanthangal and Karikili Bird Sanctuaries - 60
61. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Arinagar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai - 61
62. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park - 62
63. Wildlife In Kerala : Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary - 63
64. Wildlife in Kerala : Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary - 64
65. Wildlife in Kerala : Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkady) - 65
66. Wildlife in Kerala : Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary - 66
67. Wildlife in Kerala : Eravikulam National Park - 67
68. Wildlife in Kerala : Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary - 68
69. Wildlife in Kerala : Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary - 69
70. Wildlife in Kerala : Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary - 70
71. Wildlife in Kerala : Pecchi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary - 71
72. Wildlife in Kerala : Silent Valley National Park - 72
73. Wildlife in Kerala : Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary - 73

Wildlife in Kerala : Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary - 73

Fit snugly into the valley between the Anamala ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala on the majestic Western Ghats is the Paramabikulam Wildlife sanctuary in Palakkad. It is home to varied wildlife such as bonnet macaque, lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, fox, bear, elephant, gaur, Nilgiri Tahr, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, pangoline, crocodile, varanus, pond terapin, cane turtle, gecko, skunk, chameleon, snakes like king cobra, spectacled cobra, krait, viper, python, green keel back, rat snake, vine snake, etc. Also found hre are a wide variety of fish and birds such as aral, bral, vattudi, thilopia, noovi, mooshu, poochuti, kollottie, exyprius, taral, etc. and darter, little cormorant, black eagle, lesser adjutant stork, black capped kingfisher, great Indian hornbill, broad billed roller, black woodpecker, to name some.

Where to stay:

Governement Rest Houses and private lodges.

How to get there:

Good roads and rails connect the sanctuary with Kozhikode, Mysore and Ooty - all within a 110 kms. radius. The nearest airport is Kozhikode. Sulthan Bathery, Tholpetty and Muthanga are important centers of the Sanctuary.

Contact:

The Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Thiruvananthapuram - 695 014. Telefax : 0471 - 322217.

Divisional Forest Officer, Parambikulam, Thoonacadvau P.O. 678661 via Pollachi, Palakkad, Dist. Tel. : 04253-877233

Related Links :

01. Nature and WildLife of India : WildLife Protection Act 1972 - 1
02. Wildlife in Jammu and Kashmir - 2
03. Corbett National Park (Project Tiger) : Wildlife in Uttaranchal - 3
04. Rajaji National Park - 4
05. Wildlife in Uttar Pradesh : Dudhwa National Park - 5
06. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Bharatpur National Park - 6
07. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Ranthambore National Park (Project Tiger) - 7
08. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Sariska Tiger Reserve - 8
09. Wildlife in Gujarat : Gir National Park and Sanctuary - 9
10. Wild Ass Sanctuary - 10
11. Wildlife in Madhya Pradesh : Bandhavgarh National Park - 11
12. Wildlife in Madhya Pradesh : Kanha National Park - 12
13. Wildlife in Bihar : Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary - 13
14. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary - 14
15. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Palmau Tiger Reserve - 15
16. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary - 16
17. Wildlife in West Bengal : Sunderbans National Park and Tiger Reserve - 17
18. Wildlife in West Bengal : Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary - 18
19. Wildlife in Assam : Manas Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve - 19
20. Wildlife in Assam : Kaziranga National Park - 20
21. Wildlife in Arunachal Pradesh : Namdhapa National Park (Project Tiger) - 21
22. Wildlife in Orissa : Tikarpara Gharial Sanctuary - 22
23. Wildlife in Orissa : Ushakotih Wildlife Sanctuary - 23
24. Wildlife in Orissa : Bhitarkanika Sanctuary - 24
25. Wildlife in Orissa : Similipal Tiger Reserve (Project Tiger) - 25
26. Wildlife in Orissa : Nandankanan Biological Park and Chandka Elephant Reserve - 26
27. Wildlife in Orissa : Chilika Lake - 27
28. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Nehru Zoological Park and Kwala Sanctuary - 28
29. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Pranahita Sanctuary - 29
30. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Pakhal Santuary - 30
31. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Kinnerasani Sanctuary - 31
32. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Papikonda Sanctuary - 32
33. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Coringa Sanctuary - 33
34. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Kolleru Sanctuary - 34
35. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Krishna Sanctuary - 35
36. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Pocharam Sanctuary - 36
37. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Manjira Sanctuary and Nagarjunasagar - Srisailam Sanctuary (Project Tiger) - 37
38. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Rollapadu Sanctuary - 38
39. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Gunda Brahmeswaram Sanctuary - 39
40. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Sri Lankamalleswara Sanctuary - 40
41. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Pulicat Sanctuary - 41
42. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Kaundinya Sanctuary (Project Elephant) - 42
43. Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh : Sri Venkateswara Sanctuary and National Park - 43
44. Wildlife in Karnataka : Bandipur National Park (Project Tiger) - 44
45. Wildlife in Karnataka : Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary - 45
46. Wildlife in Karnataka : Bhimeshwari Wildlife Sanctuary - 46
47. Wildlife in Karnataka : Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary - 47
48. Wildlife in Karnataka - Nagarhole National Park - 48
49. Wildlife in Karnataka : Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary - 49
50. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Anamali Wildlife Sanctuary (Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctaury) - 50
51. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park - 51
52. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Mukkurthi National Park - 52
53. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary (Project Tiger) - 53
54. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Mundanthurai Sanctuary - 54
55. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary - 55
56. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary - 56
57. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Guindy National Park - 57
58. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary - 58
59. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Vallanadu Black Buck Santuary - 59
60. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Vedanthangal and Karikili Bird Sanctuaries - 60
61. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Arinagar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai - 61
62. Wildlife in Tamilnadu : Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park - 62
63. Wildlife In Kerala : Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary - 63
64. Wildlife in Kerala : Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary - 64
65. Wildlife in Kerala : Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkady) - 65
66. Wildlife in Kerala : Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary - 66
67. Wildlife in Kerala : Eravikulam National Park - 67
68. Wildlife in Kerala : Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary - 68
69. Wildlife in Kerala : Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary - 69
70. Wildlife in Kerala : Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary - 70
71. Wildlife in Kerala : Pecchi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary - 71
72. Wildlife in Kerala : Silent Valley National Park - 72