Periyar Tiger Reserve – Idukki
May 21, 2010 by admin
Filed under Eco Tourism, Periyar Tiger Reserve - Idukki
Periyar Tiger Reserve – Idukki
Thekkady in Idukki district is tantamount with wildlife, hills and spice plantations. The Periyar Tiger Reserve is perched in Cardamom hills of Thekkady. The Periyar Lake, in the centre of the sanctuary forms the nucleus of the reserve. Boating through this region provides a most delightful way of spotting elephants and avifauna for which the park is renowned.
You can see herds of elephants ambling up and down the hill slopes, frolicking in water and coming down to the shore for a drink. Herds of gaur, sambar and wild boar can often be spotted in the distance gazing in the grasslands. The Periyar Valley, a great place for animal lovers, bird watchers and trekkers, is also a holiday option for families.
The unique aspect that makes the growth of Periyar Tiger Reserve successful is the initiative taken by the government to involve the natives of the region in the project. The local villagers, ex- pilferers and groups of women living on the fringes of the forest protect and preserve the forest. Till today, they have been successful in their efforts.
Most of the eco tourism programmes of the forest department are geared towards protection and conservation. Ex- pilferers have become guides and protectors. A women’s group called ‘Vasantha Sena’, make voluntary patrols into the forests. They contribute to forest protection by reporting the day-to-day happenings and registering with the authorities any sign of encroachment or poaching. When the India Eco Development Project came to an end in 2004, a charitable society comprising of officials and citizens formed the Periyar Foundation in 2005.
The evergreen grasslands with deep woods are enormously found in this area. Here we have the rare Podocarpus Wallichiana plant, which is known as South Indian conifer. There is a horde of activities developed for adventurous trekkers and ecologists.
A walk to see the Adorable Nature
A walk towards the nature or guided day trekking through the best trails in the area is a memorable experience. You will be escorted by trained guides cum trackers who provide us with information about the forest. The tramp crosses many deciduous and evergreen forests which are infused with the soggy land. This activity allows us to be very near to Mother Nature. It is a three hour trekking.
Trail to Periyar Tiger Reserve
This activity has trudging and camping where poachers act as guides because they are quiet familiar with the corners of the forests. Apart from assisting trekkers to the camp and cooking food, they also enlighten us about the biota of the Reserve. There are minimum camping facilities, so the trekkers are expected to bring their travel kits. The most attractive feature of this programme is the prohibition and apprehension of the illegal activities in the forests.
bamboo groves, thatched seminar hall, Bamboo Rafting, Night Camping, forest cottage, farming, bullock carts, Jungle Inspection, Kumily
Bamboo Grove
You will be exposed to typical tribal hovels which are built in bamboo groves. The forest department conducts various activities for nature – lovers. There is a thatched seminar hall where different programmes are coordinated.
Bamboo Rafting
This plan is conducted from morning till evening. It consists of trekking and rafting through some of the copious forest belts of Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is two hours trekking and one and half hours of rafting. During this programme, we get a real picture of the dense forest and a great chance to spot big animals.
Night Camping
Visitors who visit to the camp can stay in the forest cottage at Kokkara. You can watch the surroundings coming alive with twitter of the birds.
Old Disclosures
You have the opportunity to visit various farmlands in Periyar, where you get information regarding the old methods of farming like using of bullock carts for ploughing.
Jungle Inspection
Travellers also get a chance to help the forest department in preserving these animals, birds and precious forest.
Way to Periyar
Location: Situated on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, Periyar Tiger Reserve is about 4 km from Kumily town. Timing: 6 am to 6 pm
Road: Fortunately, Thekkady can be easily approached by road. Thekkady is just 5 km from Kumily on NH 220. Kumily’s Bus Terminal has regular buses to all the major cities in Kerala. Thekkady is on SH 19, connecting Munnar to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Rail: The nearest railway station is the Kottayam Railway Station, which is 114 kms away.
Air: The nearest airport is the Madurai Airport (145 kms), then it is the Cochin International Airport (190kms) at last it is the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (275 kms).