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Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Idukki, Kerala
Area: 90.42 sq. km.
Major Wildlife Attractions: Elephant, Gaur, Spotted Deer
Best time to visit: Winter months
Places to Stay: Tourist Hut (Vasyappara), Treehouse
About Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is
situated in the rain shadow region of the western ghats in the Idukki
district of Kerala. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984, the area is
covered with mixed vegetation which includes dry deciduous forests,
high sholas and wet grasslands.
The altitudinal variation of the region that ranges from 500 to 2400
mts blesses it with a diverse variety of flora and fauna. The
sanctuary is home to some of the highest peaks including
Kottakombumalai (2144 mts), Vellaikalmalai (1863 mts) and
Viriyottumalai (1845 mts). The wildlife sanctuary is located at easily
approachable distances from the Eravikulam National Park and Annamalai
Wildlife Sanctuary.
The forest department does not offer any conducted safaris, however
there are other options like the 'river trekking programme' (from 6 to
11 AM & 3 to 6 PM, Rs. 50/person) and the 'trek to thoovanam
waterfall' (Rs. 35/person). Other options include the trek to the
pre-historic dolmens. Bookings can be made for all these programmes
from the checkpost or the Eravikulam wildlife warden's office.
Wildlife Attractions in
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
A drive of a few kilometers in the park along the road will introduce
you to a variety of bird and butterfly species, especially the
Lepidoptera. The park is home to more than 225 species of birds
including Peafowl, Bulbul, Flycatcher, Kingfisher, Drongo, Bushchats,
Hoopoes and other rare species such as the green-billed malcoha.
Besides these, other wild attractions of the area include animals
like the common mongoose, huge mammals such as Elephants and Gaur,
some species of deer including sambar and cheetal, a leopard or
perhaps even a tiger.
A major attraction is the highly endangered Grizzled Squirrel, which
can be seen playing around on the trees near the Chinnar checkpost.
Best Time to Visit Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
The best visiting season of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is winter
months but the sanctuary remains open throughout the year.
How to Get there
Air: Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport.
Cochin is connected by regular flights from Delhi (8:00, Daily),
Mumbai (11:05, Daily), Bangalore (13:00, Daily), Chennai (12:55, Mon,
Fri), (14:40, Wed, Fri, Sun) & (18:30, Tue, Thu, Sat)
Rail: Ernakulam is the nearest railhead, connected by daily
trains from Delhi, Mingla LKSDP Exp. (9:55) & Kerala Exp. (11:30).
Daily trains running Mumbai-Ernakulam are Mingla LKSDP Exp. (8:50),
Kanyakumari Exp. (15:45) & Netravati Exp. (11:40). Other important
trains are Bangalore-Ernakulam bound Kanyakumari Exp. (22:00, Daily)
and Chennai-Ernakulam, DHN ALLP Exp.(3:50, Daily).
Road: The Munnar-Udumalpet road passes through the sanctuary
providing an easy access to the place. State transport buses provide
regular services from all the major neighboring cities. Another option
is to hire a taxi or travel in your own four wheeler. |
