Wildlife

Kerala has about 30% of its land cover accounted for, by forests. The jungles of Kerala are famous for the Elephants and Tigers besides other animals. Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary, Parimbikulam Wild Life Scantuary, Eravikulam National Park are the major wild life centers. Kumarakom, Thattekkad, Myladumpara are the main Bird watching centers.

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady in Kerala, is one of the 16 Project Tiger Reserves in India. About a century ago, a British engineer, Col. J. Pennycuick, chalked out a plan to dam the Periyar River, subsequently, a dam was constructed in 1895. This resulted in the adjoining forests being granted protection, by the Maharaja of Travancore. The 55 sq km reservoir and the surrounding forests, provide protection to the animals within. Today, Periyar is undeniably, one of the most impressive wildlife sanctuaries in the world.

Wild life Tourism has been looked upon mainly in economic terms. India can earn a sizeable foreign exchange by promoting wild life tourism.
For city-bred youths, a stay in a Sanctuary or National Park can be an experience, which can not be equalled. In an increasing urban environment, a family visit to such an area can lay the ground work for a useful and realistic facet of education.It provides a knowledge of nature, and how each species functions and interacts with the others. The feeling of being near to a tiger or to a wolf causes a sensation in your nerves. Wild life is truly an awesome inspiring experience. The very nearness of this savage beauty, seen or unseen, in its natural habitat is an experience of a life time.

In order to get the most out of a visit to any sanctuary, it is desirable to have something about the forest itself- the kind of forest whether it is deciduous, evergreen, sub-tropical, tropical, temperate or rain forest. Which are the principal trees you would expect to see there? Which are the principal animals, and which birds? So also, a little knowledge about the habits of the wild life would be of great help. This makes it easier to understand and remember the movements of the animals. The best way to enjoy and learn from the National Parks is not just to take a quick round and rush out. The very early mornings and late afternoons is the right time to be in the forest. In order to get something from the experience, one should spend long stretches of time in the same area, visiting it time and again, at different times of the year, watching the changes not only in the vegetation, but in the behaviour of the animals as well.