One of the most famous wildlife destinations in India, Periyar tiger reserve is a wildlife sanctuary as well as a National Park. It was established in 1950 as a sanctuary to preserve the unique and varied wildlife of the cardamom hills region of the Western Ghats in South West India. The picturesque park received National Park status in 1982. With an area covering 777 square kilometers, the park is surrounded by the Periyar Lake covering about 5500 hectares of area. This lake was created due to the construction of a dam on the Periyar River in the year 1895. The Periyar tiger reserve is a major attraction of tourism in Kerala and you can observe a vast range of wildlife here with relative ease as compared to other famous game parks of India. The park received special protection under project tiger as a tiger reserve in 1978.

Wildlife in Periyar Tiger reserve:
Although there is a sizeable tiger population in Periyar tiger reserve, the park is famous for its elephants. It has been brought under �project elephants� in 1991. Herds of elephants can be seen grazing and enjoying themselves in the waters of the Periyar Lake from boats that carry tourists around the forest.

The tiger population is estimated to be around 40 as per the latest studies. The thick vegetation of Periyar makes spotting these elusive cats quite difficult, although pugmarks, claw marks, and droppings can be frequently observed in tiger trails.

Among the 62 mammalian species, the important ones are � the striped necked mongoose, Nilgiri langur, Gaur, Barking deer, mouse deer, dholes, sambar, fruit bat, and Otter. Among the endangered species, mention must be made of the Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri marten, and the Lion tailed macaque.

Apart from the mammals, about 320 bird species, 27 amphibians, and 38 varieties of fish are found in Periyar. The large number of invertibrates includes an amazing range of insects, including around 160 butterfly species.

The important bird species spotted in Periyar tiger reserve include darters, Cormorants, Kingfishers, Racket tailed drongo, and the Great Malabar Hornbill.

Other attractions:
Periyar is one of the most prominent tiger reserves in India. It offers breathtaking scenic beauty and a host of adventure activities. Trekking, hiking, boating, and elephant rides are among the topmost tourist attractions in Periyar. The Sabarimala temple is a famous pilgrimage spot within the buffer zone of the park, and is an interesting place to visit.

Accommodation:
You can find accommodation near Periyar in the following hotels �

Lake Palace Hotel

Learn more about the Periyar tiger reserve and wildlife in India in touristplacesinindia.com which offers online information about the major tourist destinations in India.

Periyar Exclusives

Elephants In Periyar	Periyar Tiger Reserve
Wildlife Resorts In Periyar

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