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PERIYAR
TIGER RESERVE |
The
Periyar Tiger Reserve, named after the Periyar river,
is one of Kerala's prestigious possessions on the High
Ranges of the Western Ghats. Falling in the Idukki district
of Kerala, this forest Reserve surrounds the Periyar
Lake, which was created in 1895 by building a dam across
the Periyar river (to divert the water to Tamil Nadu
for irrigation). The forests around the lake were declared
as Reserved Forests in 1899. |
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The
Maharaja of Travancore, realising the significance of conservation,
appointed Mr. S.C.H. Robinson as the First Game Warden. Based
on his recommendations the forests around the lake were turned
into a sanctuary in 1934 and christened Nellikkampetty sanctuary.
The sanctuary which was a game reserve merged with the Forest
Department in 1966. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978
under the Project Tiger scheme. In 1982 the core area of the
reserve (350 sq. km.) was notified as National Park. The Reserve
covers hills and verdant forests extending over an area of
777 sq. km. The Periyar lake, the nucleus of the sanctuary
is about 26 sq. km. in extent. The elevation ranges varies
from 900 M to 2019 M. |
The
forests of Periyar can be divided into four categories. The
open grasslands are home to the Elephants, the Bison and herds
of deer. The moist deciduous forest is dominated by trees
like Terminalia and Teak which shed their leaves seasonally.
The semi-evergreen forest occurs along wet stream areas and
is often adjacent to the tropical evergreen forest. Lastly,
the 'Sholas' or tropical evergreen jungle which is typical
of the entire western Ghats in the state, abounds in this
Reserve .
The varied habitat in the sanctuary supports a number of species
of terrestrial, aquatic and arboreal animals. Apart from Elephants,
other herbivores in the Reserve are Gaur, Sambar deer, Barking
deer, Mouse deer, Nilgiri langur, Bonnet macaque, Lion-tailed
macaque etc Tiger, Leopard, Jungle cat, Wild dog, etc are
the major carnivores seen in the area. Other important animals
are Bear, Porcupine, Jackal, Indian Giant Squirrel, Malabar
flying squirrel, Wild boar, small Indian Civet, Mongoose and
the Pangoline.
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Tiger |
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The
tiger is the main attraction in the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
An estimated 40 of these magnificent beasts inhabit
the Reserve. The Indian tiger is a large animal averaging
a little less than 3m. in length. This great cat is
a solitary animal except when courting or when a tigress
is with her cubs. The cubs only leave their mother after
reaching maturity at the age of about 2 years. Tigers
hunt the large herbivores including sambar and other
deer, gaur, wild boar, etc. The tiger's beauty and strength
are beyond compare. No one can ever forget the first
sighting of this great cat in the wild . Even a brief
glance is an unforgettable experience. But it is a shy
and alert animal, hence difficult to see and observe
at ease.
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Elephant
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Elephants
live in herds with a leader which is often an old and
experienced cow. A herd also has a master bull which
dominates other bulls. Not all bull elephants have tusks
and those without are called makhnas. Cow elephants
in India, unlike in Africa, do not have tusks. This
enormous animal is the largest of the land mammals.
It requires ten to fifteen hours of grazing everyday.
It feeds on grass, tree barks and so on. The elephant
is a very intelligent animal, has a highly developed
sense of smell and hearing but its young are sometimes
attacked by tigers, but this is very rare as the herd
defends its young extremely efficiently and even ferociously.
Man, of course, has hunted this great animal for ivory
for hundreds of years, but today the elephant, found
in many forests in India, is a protected animal.
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Malabar
Squirrel |
The
beautiful Malabar squirrel and flying squirrel are common sights
in this sanctuary.
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Deer
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Deer
of some sort is usually found in abundance particularly the
spotted deer and the sambar deer.
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The
Wild Pig |
The
wild pig is an opportunistic feeder and is found in large numbers.
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Birds
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Periyar
Tiger Reserve is rich in Bird life. Birds such as Malabar
Hornbill, Grey heron, Jungle fowl and Jungle Mynah live
in the sanctuary. 266 species of birds are positively
recorded. Among the common aquatic birds are Darter
or snake bird and Cormorant. While swimming the snake-like
neck and beak remain above water. Fish is the main food.
Dabchick or little grebe, squat and tailless duck is
the Local migrant and is the smallest swimming bird
of the locality. This expert diver feeds on aquatic
insects and tadpoles.
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White
necked stork, feeds during the day and roosts on trees at
the night. During October-May, the bird population explodes
in Periyar. Lesser Pied King fisher is another common bird
in the lake catching fish that could be hunted from the water.
Also takes tadpoles and aquatic insects. Nests in horizontal
tunnels, dug on the bank of river, ending in an egg chamber.
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Great
Indian Hornbill is seen in evergreen areas. The largest
population in western Ghat is at Periyar and is noisy
and distinctive in flight. They nest on the natural
hole of tree, where the female sits almost closing the
hole and lays the eggs and remains there till incubation
is over. Male bird collects food and supplies to female
and the young ones till they are able to fly. The Woodpecker
is the resident of the deciduous forest. Food is mainly
black ants. Nests in holes excavated on trees. Brahminy
Kite is seen singly or in pairs. Breeds in the area.
Feeds on offal, fish, frog and small snakes.
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REPTILES
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Poisonous
snakes like Cobras, Vipers, Kraits, and a number of non poisonous
snakes forms the reptilian life of the Periyar Reserve. Monitor
lizards are also frequently sighted in the forests. Pythons
are regularly seen while trekking and in the evergreen areas
the King cobra is sighted.
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