Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Madurai
One of South India's most popular tourist attractions, Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is centered around a lake built by British engineers in 1895 for irrigation and to provide water to the city of Madurai. Established in 1934, this beautiful park is home to numerous species of mammals, including a large free-roaming Indian elephant population, wild boar, otters, the lion-tailed macaque, and more than 20 Bengal tigers. Bird watching is a popular activity with frequent sightings of species such as darters, storks, kingfishers, hornbills, and racket-tailed drongos, along with many interesting varieties of butterflies.
The best ways to enjoy the park's splendid mountain scenery are to take a lake cruise or guided jungle walk, the latter allowing visitors a chance to come face to face with elephant herds and observe other wildlife from watchtowers and viewing platforms. Hot Tip: Be sure to stop at one of the many nearby spice, tea, or coffee plantations for a tour.
Description
Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (PNP) is a protected area located in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in Kerala, India. It is notable as an elephant reserve and a tiger reserve. The protected area encompasses 925 km2 (357 sq mi), of which 305 km2 (118 sq mi) of the core zone was declared as the Periyar National Park in 1982. The park is a repository of rare, endemic, and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala: the Periyar and the Pamba.
The park is located high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the south Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu. It is 4 km (2.5 mi) from Kumily, approximately 100 km (62 mi) east of Kottayam, 110 km (68 mi) west of Madurai and 120 km (75 mi) southeast of Kochi.
| Periyar National Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Periyar NP | |
| Location | Idukki and Pathanamthitta, Kerala state, India |
| Nearest city | Kottayam, Kochi |
| Coordinates | |
| Area | 350 km2 (140 sq mi) |
| Established | 1934-1950 (As Nellikkaampetty Game sanctuary), 1950-present(As Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary) |
| Visitors | 180,000 (in 1986) |
| Governing body | Department of Forests and Wildlife (Kerala) Field Director: Sri. Georgi P Mathechan |