Visit Thekkady
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary / Periyar Tiger Reserve : Herds of elephants moving towards a lake against the backdrop of picturesque mountain ranges with thick greenery – if you come across such a photograph in Kerala, it will most probably be one of the Periyar Valley. Snuggled in the southern region of the Western Ghats, the Periyar Tiger Reserve sprawls over an area of 777 sq. km of forest land and is home to thousands of different species of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered ones. Thick, evergreen forests form about 360 sq. km of the total area of the valley.
Boating in the Periyar Lake
The Periyar Lake formed by the construction of the dam across the Mullaperiyar River in 1895, the lake harbors within itself a unique aquatic ecosystem. The numerous little islets in the lake are witness to the intricate inherent interrelationship among the terrestrial aquatic and subterranean life forms. A boat cruise on the Lake is perhaps the best way to watch the wildlife in the reserve.
Trekking & Camping
Periyar Tiger Trail
In the Periyar Tiger Trail project the members involved are the former inhabitants of the forest and who made a living by illegal trading of forest goods. Their activity was detrimental to the conservation of the forest. Since the advent of the India Ecodevelopment project these negative dependants on the forest were changed to positive conservatonalist, where natives became partners in the protection and management of habitates. Their intimate knowledge about the plants and animals, and their survival instincts were best used for participatory ecotourism activities.
Periyar Tiger Trail
The ministry of environment has under taken local community participation in forest management through India – Eco – Development in seven states. In Kerala this project is implemented by the forest Department with the Ex – Vayana Bark collectors Eco Development committee which is formed by constant interaction with the poachers and the forest officials over a long period of time.