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Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is composed of the dense forests and the
Peppara dam built on the Karamana River and was declared as a sanctuary in 1983
to increase the drinking water supply to Thiruvananthapuram and the adjoining
suburbs. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is merged partially with the Palode reserve
(24sq.kms) and the Kottoor reserve (29sq.kms); all the three together forming
the whole of the area covered by the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary. The wildlife
sanctuary covers an area of 53 sq.kms with the reservoir spread in an area of
5.82 sq.kms. Located about 50kms. North East of capital city Thiruvananthapuram
in Nedumangad taluk of Thiruvananthapuram district, the topography of the wildlife
sanctuary is quite hilly.
The major wildlife species found in the wildlife
sanctuary are: tiger, panther, wild dog, lion tailed macaque, elephant, gaur,
sambhar, barking deer, mouse deer, wild boar, Nilgiri langur, Malabar squirrel
etc. The bird species especially the water birds like darter, little cormorant,
pied king fisher and egrets are most commonly seen in the sanctuary. Several species
of snakes including the king cobra and python are dominantly present in this sanctuary.
The Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is also famous for its wide variety of moth and
butterflies. Apart from the wildlife, there are 13 tribal settlements in the Peppara
Wildlife Sanctuary.
The forest areas in the wildlife sanctuary mainly
consist of three major forest belts Southern hilltop tropical evergreen forests
found atop the hills with an elevation of above 1000m; West coast semi- evergreen
forests that occur mostly on the hills with an elevation of 150 to 1050m; Southern
moist mixed deciduous forests cover more than 60% of the area and occupy the lower
slopes of the hills.
How To Reach Peppara
Wildlife Sanctuary
By Air The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram
(32 Kms) from where frequent and regular buses are available for Peppara Wildlife
Sanctuary. You can also board a flight to your desired destination after returning
from the wildlife sanctuary.
By Rail The nearest railhead
from the sanctuary is Thiruvananthapuram, which is well connected with Chennai,
Mumbai, Delhi and even Kashmir. The buses are available for the sanctuary from
Trivandrum. From Trivandrum you can also board a train to depart to your desired
destination.
By Road Peppara wildlife sanctuary is
easily and conveniently accessible from Vithurai on Thiruvananthapuram - Ponmudi
road.
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