KERALA: Flanked to the west by the Indian Ocean and along the east by the Western Ghats, Kerala is well endowed with densevegetation supporting a rich and varied fauns. Road communication throughout the state is good and the major airports at Trivandrum (the state capital) and Cochin are connected to all major Indian cities. Both Cochin and Trivandrum are major rail terminuses. The weather throughout the year is pleasant with the monsoon arriving in late Gay and the wet period continuing up to September.
Eravikulam N.P
Declared a national park in 1978, this area was earlier established as a sanctuary to protect the Nilgiri tahr (the only wild goat south of the Himalaya). The park covers 37 sq miles (97 sq km) of beautiful rolling grass hills and forests in the valleys. It also has the highest peak in 
South India: Anaimudi (8853 feet/2695 meters). The tahr are often seen near the bordering Rajamalai tea estate. Elephant, tiger, leopard, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque and giant squirrel are found. Best time to visit: Nov.—Apr. Accommodation: resthouse at Rajamalai (separate arrangement needed for food) Permission: DFO, Gunnar Division, PO Devi Kolam, Kerala (Tel: Munnar 37). Nearest town: Gunnar (10 miles/16 km) Rail & Air : Cochin (89 miles/164 km)
Idikki Sanctuary
Established in 1976 with an area of 27 sq miles (70 sq km) above the Idikki arch dam. Sambar and elephant are usually seen and tiger, sloth bear and gaur occasionally. Best time to visit: Nov.—Gay. Accommodation: inspection bungalows at Kulamaur and Vazhathope Permission: Asst. Field Director, Idikki Sanctuary, Vazhathope, ldikki , Kerala. Nearest town: Vazhathope (1.25 miles) Rail & Air : Cochin (102 miles/164 km)
Neyyar Sanctuary
Established in 1958 it has an area of 49 sq miles (128 sq km) with the Neyyar reservoir covering slightly more than 3.5 sq miles (9 sq km). Boats are available to explore the narrow creeks, channels and islands.
Most of the sanctuary is wet tropical evergreen forest although in higher areas the grasslands have tahr. Agasthyadoodam at 6203 feet (1890 meters) is the highest point. A rich bird and insect life. Lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Maur , sloth bear and wild boar are seen. Occasional tiger sightings. Best time to visit: throughout the year Accommodation: inspection bungalow at Neyyar; 2 guesthouses Permission: Wildlife Warden, Forest Headquarters, Trivandrum, Kerala 695014 (Tel: 60674). Nearest town: Kattakada (6 miles/10 km) Rail & Air : Trivandrum (20 miles/32 km)
Parambikulam Sanctuary
First established as a small sanctuary in 1962, the present area of 110 sq miles (285 sq km) was gazetted in 1973. The sanctuary stretches around the Parambikulam, Thunacadavu and Peruvaripallan
reservoirs, each with a good population of crocodile. Most of the area has dense deciduous forests and in one area old teak plantations. Gaur viewing is good with the largest population in Kerala. Sambar, chital, lion-tailed macaque and a few tigers and leopards are seen. Transport and boats available. Best time to visit: Feb.—Apr. Accommodation: forest resthouses at Thunacadavu, Thellikkal and Elathode Permission: DFO, TP Division, Thunacadavu Post, Via Pollachi (Tel: Pollachi 33). Nearest town & Rail: Pollachi (30 miles) Air: Coimbatore (62 miles/l00 km)
Peechi Vazhani Sanctuary
Established in 1958, over 48 sq miles (125 sq km) to protect the catchment areas of the Peechi and Vazhani dams. Mammal life is poor due to the area’s proximity to habitation. Moist deciduous forest with interesting birds. Best time to visit: Nov.—Apr. Accommodation: resthouse (4 beds), Peechi Permission: DFO, Ayyanthol, Trichur, Kerala (Tel: 23268). Nearest town & Rail: Trichur (9.5 miles) Air : Cochin (62 miles/100 km)
Peppara Sanctuary
Established in 1983, this hilly area of mixed forest covering 20 sq miles (53 sq km) of the Western Ghats has some fascinating birdlife. Elephant, sambar and lion-tailed macaque are seen and the occasional leopard. Best time to visit: throughout the year Accommodation: guesthouse with 4 beds, tourist complex at Ponmude (7.5 miles/11 km, Tel: Vithura 30) Permission: DFO, Trivandrum Forest Division, Trivandrum, Kerala 695014 (Tel: 60637). Nearest town: Vithura (7 miles/10 km) Rail & Air: Trivandrum (30 miles/48 km)
Periyar Tiger Reserve and N.P
Established in 1934 as the Nelliampatty Sanctuary, it was enlarged in 1950. It now extends over 299 sq miles (777 sq km) and is India’s southernmost tiger reserve. The lake covers 10 sq miles (26 sq km). Most of the sanctuary is undulating. The elephant viewing is excellent, 
although only a few tuskers have avoided the poacher’s gun. In 1983 there were 932 elephants in the sanctuary. Tiger sightings are rare. Woodland birds are abundant. Boats and dugouts are available. Best time to visit: Sept.—May (open all the year round) Accommodation: forest resthouses at Manakauala, Mullakudi and Thannikudy; at the park entrance and HQ at Thekkady tourist accommodation is available: Aranya Nivas Hotel (Tel: Kumily 23); Edapalayam Lake Palace (Tel: Kumily 24); Periyar House (Tel: Kumily 26)—only Indian food and dormitory accommodation. Permission: The Field Director, Project Tiger, Kanjikuzhi, Kottayam, Kerala (Tel: Kottayam 8409). Nearest town: Kumily (2.5 miles/4 km) Air: Madurai (TN) (90 miles/145 km) or Cochin (118 miles/190 km)
Silent Valley N.P
Established in 1984 after a national campaign to protect the peninsula’s last substantial area of primary tropical forest, 35 sq miles (90 sq km) of park hold a valuable reserve of rare plants and herbs. Elephant, lion-tailed macaque and tiger are among the animals seen. Best time to visit: Sept.—Mar. Accommodation: resthouse (4 beds) Permission: DFO, Palghat, Kerala 678009 (Tel: Paighat 8156). Nearest town: Mannarghat (20 miles/32 km ) Rail: Palghat (47 miles/75 km) Air : Coimbatore (TN) (96 miles/155 km)
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
Established in 1983 as Kerala’s first bird sanctuary. Mostly moist deciduous forest on 9.5 sq miles (25 sq km) of land between branches of the Periyar river. Many water and forest birds including rarities such as the Ceylon frogmouth and the rose-billed roller. Also, lion-tailed macaque and flying squirrel. Best time to visit: Sept.—Mar. Accommodation: 1 forest bungalow Permission: DFO, Malyathur Forest Division, Kodanad Post, via Perumbavoor. Kerala. Nearest town: Kothamangalam (12.5 miles) Rail: Alwaye (31 miles/50 km) Air : Cochin (44 miles/70 km)
Wynad Sanctuary
Established in 1973 although a game reserve since the 1920s. Borders Nagarahole and Bandipur in Karnataka and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu. Area: 132 sq miles (344 sq km). Rich birdlife in remarkable .and varied forests. Elephant, chital, gaur, sambar and sloth bear are fairly common. Good roads. Best time to visit: Dec. — Apr. Accommodation: resthouses at Manantody and Sultan’s Battery Permission: DFO, Wynad, PO Manantody, Kerala (Tel: 33). Nearest town: Sultan’s Battery (0.5 mile) Rail: Calicut (68 miles/110 km) Air : Mysore or Bangalore (155 miles)
