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SANCTUARY SPOTLIGHT

Idukki National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, which came into existence in 1976, is located at Vellappaara, about three km from Idukki district headquarters, Kerala. It is 40 km from Thodupuzha taluk in Idukki and occupies the forestland between the Cheruthoni and the Periyar River. The sanctuary contains 33 sq km of the Idukki reservoir's water. Besides dense forests, vast stretches of grasslands serve as grazing ground for animals.

Flora and fauna: The sanctuary is home to elephants. Other commonly sighted wildlife include sambar, barking deer, striped goat, mongoose, monitor lizard, bison, bear, flying frog, bonnet macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, jungle cat, jackal, Indian giant squirrel and various species of snakes.

Different species of birds nest at the Idukki National Park. While some are migrants, others are indigenous species. Some spotted are the mynah, jungle fowl, black bulbul, laughing thrush, woodpecker, darter, grey heron, little spider hunter, Malabar parakeet, peafowl and kingfisher. Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary (85 kms from Idukki sanctuary) located in Kothamangalam Taluk of Eranakulam district also comes under the Idukki wildlife division.

Best season to visit: November to May

How to Get There

By air: The nearest airport is Nedumbassery in Kochi

By rail: Kottayam is the nearest railway station.

By road: You can drive down from Eranakulam to Thodupuzha to Idukki.

Accommodation: Hotels run by the KTDC, PWD guesthouse, inspection bungalow of forest department and private resorts at Cheruthoni, about three km from the sanctuary.

Contact: The Wildlife Warden, Idukki Wildlife Division, Painavu P.O.

Idukki - 685603. Ph: 0486-2232271.

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