Set high in
the ranges of the Western Ghats, in Kerala, is the Periyar National Park
and Tiger Reserve. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the
sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir
meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial
source of water for the local wildlife.
Herds
of elephant and sambar, gaur and wild pigs wander down to the lakeside and
can be observed from the launches that cruise the lake. In March and
April, during the driest period here, the animals spend a lot of time near
the lake and the elephants can be seen bathing and swimming in the
reservoir.
A glimpse may be had even of the tiger during this
season, as it comes to the water. Periyar also harbors the leopard, wild
dog, barking deer and mouse deer. On the rocky outcrops along the lake,
monitor lizards can be seen basking in the sun. Visitors who trek into the
Park often see a python and sometimes even a king cobra.
Among
the unusual species found at Periyar are the flying lizard and the flying
snake. With wings of orange or yellow, the flying lizard is seen as it
glides from one tree to the other. The flying snake is also brilliantly
colored in yellow and black with a pattern of red rosettes. The lake
attracts birds like the darter, cormorant, grey heron and ibis and they
are seen perched on the snags of dead wood that dot the lake. The great
Malabar hornbill and grey hornbill are often seen flapping their ponderous
way between trees.
There are kingfishers, ospreys and kites as
well as orioles, hill mynas, racket tailed drongos, parakeets, including
the unusual blue winged parakeet and fly catchers. The liquid notes of the
Malabar whistling thrush and the loud call of the hornbills are
distinctive amid the normal sounds of the jungle.
Four species
of primates are found at Periyar - the rare lion tailed macaque, the
Nilgiri langur, common langur and bonnet macaque. Though this is also the
habitat of the Nilgiri tahr, this elusive goat is rarely seen. The animals
are viewed from motor launches on the lake and from watchtowers. A summer
palace of the former Maharaja of Travancore, set along the lake, is a
hotel and a fine place to stay.
General
Information:
Best Time to Visit: October to April.
Nearest
Town: Kumily (4 km)
How to Get Here:
Air:
Cochin (200 km)
Rail: Kottayam (114 km)
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