PALGHAT
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Between the Anamalai Ranges of Taminadu and the Nelliampathy Ranges of
Kerala on the Western Ghats is the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary. Situated
in the Palakkad (Palghat)district, it was originally a small tract of
reserve forest with an area of about 48 sq. kms. However owing to the
growing wildlife need, it was expanded in 1962 and today covers an area
of 258 sq. kms.
Ideally suited to the growth of teak, the tract encouraged large scale
teak plantations through artificial regeneration in the early 1920's.
This was abandoned when a full fledged wildlife department was formed
in 1985.
Several streams originate from these hills and flows towards the Chalakudy
river. The terrain is mostly undulating with a valley in the basin. The
Karimala Gopuram is the highest peak in this region and standing at 1444m
The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Palakkad is accessible by road from
Tamil Nadu side of the border. Buses ply between Pollachi and Parambikulam.
MEANS OF TRANSPORT and DISTANCE
Nearest railway station - Pollachi ( 60 kms).
Nearest airport - Coimbatore ( 100 kms)
Roads From the Kerala side, the sanctuary is accessible through dirt roads
and may need sturdy 4-wheel drives to take you there. .
Accomodation
For
More Hotel/Resort Reservations click Palghat accomodation
There is a rest house at Thunacadavu. The Parambikulam Project also provides
accommodation. There are several cheap hotels at Pollachi and Coimbatore
also.
Silent Valley National Park
The Silent Valley National Park , around 90 Kms in all was the subject
of a state wide environmental agitation , to save the virgin evergreen
forests from destruction, due to a dam proposed within it.
This wildlife sanctuary attained international attention then and now
forms part of larger Nilgiri Biosphere reserve. The park is home to more
than 100 species of butterflies and birds. Other wildlife includes the
Nilgiri Tahr, the rare and endangered Lion Tailed Macaque, leopards, tigers
and elephants.
To get to the Park, one has to take the road from Palakkad, 80 kms away.Regular
buses are available to Mukkali, 20 kms from the Park. Visitors are allowed
only in a few places, near the site proposed for the dam earlier. Facilities
are rudimentary and limited. Recommended only for those willing to rough
it out. .
For enquiries regarding entries to wildlife sanctuaries, contact
:
The Chief Conservator of Forests(Wildlife)-
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - 695014
Field Director, Project Tiger-
Kottayam
Divisional Forest Officer-
Parambikulam, Thunacadavu P.O - 6788661 via Pollachi, Palakkad District,
Kerala.
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