Kerala Tradition & Fascinating Destinations 2014 Kerala Tradition & Destinations 2014 | Page 64

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary: (50 km from Thiruvananthapuram) Peppara is famous
for its eucalyptus plantations. This attractive sanctuary is on the way to
Ponmudi, spread over 53 km on the Western Ghats. Permission: 0471 2360762.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: This rich jungle of Thekkady lying close to the
plantations is one of the world’s most precious and captivating natural
wildlife reserves spread across to 777 sq. km. of which 360 sq. km. is thick
evergreen forest. This sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978.
This is the only sanctuary in India where one can have the experience of
beholding wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake.
Permission: 04869 222027.
Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary: (66 km from Kollam) This wildlife sanctuary
is rich with biodiversity lying on either side of Shanduruney River. The
Shenduruney forest - declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984 gets its name
from an endemic species of tree called Chenkurunji (Gluta travancorica).
In the central region of this moist, mixed deciduous forest, spread over
hilly terrain of over 100 sq km, is the 26 sq km artificial lake formed by the
Parappara dam built across the Shenduruney and Kulathupuzha rivers.
Permission: 0475 2344600.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: (Muthanga: 18 km west of Sulthan Batheri. Tholpetty:
15 km from Mananthavadi) The sanctuary covers an area of 344.33 sq.km.
and divided into two Muthanga in the south and Tholpetty in the north.
Established in 1973, the Waynand Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the
protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the
northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the South east. Permission:
Muthanga - 04936 271010, Tholpetty - 04935 250853.

National Parks
Eravikulam National Park: (15 km from Munnar) The 97 sq. km. park is situat ed
in the Devikulam Taluk and is home to the Nilgiri tahr. The highest peak in
South India, Anamudi (2695 meters above sea level), is located in the
southern region of the park. Permission: 04865 231587.
Silent Valley National Park: (40 km North-West of Mannarkad in Palakkad) The
89.52 sq. km. national park is believed to be the sole surviving bit of
evergreen forests in Sahya Ranges. The peculiarity of Silent Valley Forest
is that it is devoid even of the chirping of cicadas. Vehicular transport is
possible only upto Mukkali, nearly 24 km from the park. The rest of the
way has to be covered on foot up to the source of Kunthipuzha which flows
through the valley before merging into River Bharathapuzha. Permission:
04924 222056, 253225.

Zoos
Thiruvananthapuram: It is a small jungle in the heart of the city and a
beautiful garden with smiling flowers. Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, one of
the oldest in the country, was established as an annexe to the Museum in
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NATIONAL PARKS AND ZOO |TRADITION AND DESTINATIONS