|
Situated within the
confines of the Western Ghats in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Periyar
National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in
the world. In 1895, the British undertook water resource management plans for
the area and started work on a dam and an artificial lake under the auspices of
Col. J. Pennycuick. The picturesque lake in the heart of the sanctuary was
originally 26 sq km but now spans an area of 55 sq km. This perennial source of
water, which initially led to the submersion of large tracts of forestland,
slowly attracted wild animals. It eventually resulted in the adjoining forests
being granted protection by the Maharaja of Travancore. Post-1975 Periyar finds
itself in the enviable position of being a national park as well as a protected
tiger reserve.
Periyar (also known as Thekkady) is a park where one can witness playful
pachyderms, whose population is currently around 800. The population of tigers
is also increasing appreciably. The terrain ranges from hilly to flat grassland
areas at the edges of the lakes. The vegetation is of moist deciduous type.
CLIMATE
The temperature
during summers (April. June) ranges from 21°C to 24°C. During the monsoon (July.
August), it ranges from 19°C to 21°C. Winter season lasts from October to March
and is cool and pleasant.
THE ELEPHANTINE ABODE
 Periyar is a
veritable paradise of elephants. Herds of playful wild elephants have made
Periyar Lake their favorite haunt for frolicking in the water. Scores of them
can be witnessed bathing and swimming here. The Indian female elephants do not
posses tusks like their African relatives. They are also not as swarthy as their
African counterparts. Other inhabitants of Periyar include the leopard, wild
dog, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri langur (a primate), bonnet macaque,
sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar and sloth bear.
There are approximately 40 tigers in the area as per the latest reports. The
tigers, along with the Nilgiri tahrs (a kind of a wild goat), are elusive
creatures. However, an early morning visit, with luck on your side, could yield
results.
Amidst the rocky hinges along the lake, monitor lizards may be spotted. Trekkers
have also sighted pythons, king cobras and flying lizards. Some 260 species of
birds are found at Periyar. These include darters, cormorants, ibises, gray
herons, mynas, flycatchers, orioles, wood pigeons, kingfishers, kites, ospreys,
thrushes, and an appreciable number of blue-winged parakeets.
The months of March and April constitute the driest part of the year, because of
which the animals spend a lot of time near the lake. Even the tiger may be
spotted approaching the waters. Animals may be seen from motorboats on the lake
or from watchtowers. A special permission is required to travel by boat to the
source of the artificial lake, the River Periyar. This area is generally not
open for tourists, but is the favorite haunt of the sloth bear. There is a good
chance of spotting an occasional tiger in this relatively peaceful corner of the
forest. One can also form a group and go on a walking tour with locally
available guides.
PLACES NEARBY
 There are some
tribal villages around Periyar, which are worth a visit. The tribal people are
expert fishermen and farmers. Some are still engaged in the traditional practice
of collecting honey of dangerous hill bees. They have built interesting tree
dwellings. These dwellings do not signify a . perched. existence. Quite the
contrary, they are comfortable watchtowers for taking note of any wild pig or
elephant in the area that might ruin the cultivated fields. Nearby Kottayam (117
km) and the temple town of Madurai (140) km) should not be missed.
REACHING THERE
The park is well
connected by Thiruvananthapuram
(271 km), as well as the cities of Cochin (200 km), Kottayam (117 km), and
Madurai (140 km). The nearest major rail junction is Kottayam. The nearest
national airports are Cochin (200 km) and Madurai (140 km).
STAYING THERE
Forest rest
houses. Periyar House, Aranya Niwas, etc.. situated in the park. tourist
complex area offer good accommodation facilities. The Lake Palace at Eddapaliyam,
which was once the royal residence of the Maharaja of Travancore, and Spice
Village are the two other better options for accommodation in the area. Apart
from these, there are many other rest houses where accommodation is available to
suit every budget.
LINKS TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD
The nearest town
is Kumily (4 km) where communication (post, telegraph, phone and fax) and
medical (chemists, hospitals) facilities are available. Internet/ e-mail
facilities are available at Kottayam (117 km) from the park.
|
