Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary
The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at Chittur taluk in the district of Palakkad, Kerala. The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve that was established in the year 1973. It is considered one of the best protected sanctuaries in the country. The lush green landscape is home to the ferocious Tiger, elephants, leopards and fresh water crocodiles surrounded by a wide growth of flora and avifauna.
The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is cuddled by the Anamalai and the Neeliampathy hills. The picture perfect hills and valleys are a popular attractions for tourists as most of the Wildlfe sanctuary is located on the Anamalai hills giving a sweeping view of the expanse of valley below. There are a total of valleys and 3 rivers that flow through the sanctuary, the Sholayar, the Thekkady and the Parambikulam. The trees are tall and fully grown and the sanctuary is devoid of any unnatural substances with small streams and creeks running all over. There are numerous waterfalls, big and small, that flow through the hills of the forest and it is easy to mistake a big boulder for an elephant at first sight. The entire region is moist with thick vegetation.
There are also many tribal settlements inside the forests. As you embark on a trip inside the sanctuary, you will be taken around the sanctuary to the top to Parambikulam Dam which when seen from that location adds to the enchanting appearance of the sanctuary.
Wildlife in Parambikulam
The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is much famed for the Tigers that show an increase in number during every count. The forest of Parambikulam and the surrounding areas that come under the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve houses 32 – 36 tigers. There are about 120 species of butterflies, 39 species of mammals, 1000 different species of insects and 47 species of fish. This Reserve is an amazing bird watching area with 250 different species of birds that thrive there. This lush green creation of nature is home to many extraordinary creatures of nature like the Nilgiri Wood Pegion, Nilgiri Tahr, Bengal Tigers, Leopards, Elephants, King Cobra, Deer varieties and a lot other varieties of wild species.
Flora – Parambikulam Sanctuary
The Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is credited with the world’s first scientifically managed plantation of teak. It is home to the world’s oldest and tallest Teak tree named ‘Kannimara’ which is 450 years old and at a height of 40 meters. Four people with outstretched hands only can encircle the tree. This tree is considered divine as years ago when the tree was axed, it oozed blood and since then the tribal people hold special pujas and prayers periodically to the tree. Other than the Kannimara, the reserve houses teak, rosewood, sandalwood and neem trees. A rich variety of flowering plants is seen here. About 1438 species of flowering plants that includes 81 different varieties of orchids. The entire region of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is covered in lush green growths of natural plantations and teak plantations.
