| |
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Located at Devikulam taluk of Idukki district Kerala, Chinnar Wildlife
Sanctuary is a well-known reserve that extends over an area of over 90 sq km.
Recognized as a wildlife sanctuary in 1984, it lies in the rain shadow region
of the Western Ghats. As a result, Chinnar gets only about 48 rainy days in a
year during the months of October and November when Northeast monsoons are at
work.
Apart from being the habitat of the endangered giant grizzled squirrel
in India, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to tigers, elephant, bonnet macaques,
gaur, Kraits, spotted deer, spectacled cobras, sambar, turtles, vipers, little
cormorants, darters and black eagles. The place is also ideal for boating and
trekking.
The sanctuary abounds in a variety of trees, including the
unique thorny scrub forest with Xerophytic species. The flora of the sanctuary
comprises dry deciduous forest, thorny scrub forests, high sholas and wet grasslands.
It is, indeed, a reservoir of tranquil greenery ensconced the verdant valley.
Among the species of flora include Acacia arabica (Karivelam), Acacia leucofolia
(Velvelam), Santalum album (Chandanam), Anogeissuslatifolia (Mazhukanjiram), Elaeocarpus
recurvatus (Bhadraksham) and Strobilanthus kunthianus (Neelakurinji).
The rippling topography with breathtaking spectacle of craggy rocks adds to the
scenic grandeur of the sanctuary. Best Season to visit the sanctuary is from December
to April. As far as accommodation is concerned, private lodges are available at
Marayoor, Munnar and Udumalpetta. You can also find accommodation in the government
guesthouses at Munnar and Udumalpetta.
How
to Reach
Air: The nearest national airports
are Cochin (200 km) and Coimbatore.
Rail: The nearest railway
stations are Aluva (200kms) and Pollachi (60kms).
Road:
Well connected by bus service to the major places.
|
|
