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| Periyar |
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Terrain |
| The Kerala-Tamil Nadu interstate line from Kumily
in the north, the Ranni and Kakki reserve forests and the forests
in the Kottayam division define the boundary of Periyar. Located
in the Western Ghats, geologically believed to be amongst the
oldest mountains in the world, Periyar has an unique diversity
both in terrain and vegetation.
The reservoir, bounded by hills, is the central feature and
is drained by the Periyar and Mullayar rivers. The Periyar
river originates from deep within the evergreen core area,
50 km south of the sanctuary headquarters at Thekkady. It
meets the Mullayar at Mullakudy, from where the lake starts.
The river then runs on for some 244 km before emptying into
the Arabian Sea.
The black stumps of old hard wood trees -- some jutting out
of the water and others submerged (it takes an expert boatman
to avoid the stakes), are eerie reminders of a rainforest
that was drowned because humans wanted abundant year-round
supplies of water. The lake runs north to south for about
11 km, with numerous creeks running into it from the slopes.
A combination of rolling and steep hills, patchy forests interspersed
with grasslands and marshy flatlands have crafted a dynamic
ecosystem that is the key to Periyar’s amazing flora
and fauna.
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Vegetation |
| Periyar comprises tropical evergreen forest and
semi-evergreen forests, occasionally broken by large areas of
grassland. There are 209 species of common plants and trees
here. Sturdy elephant grasses have evolved to withstand fires
and are a reliable source of food for large herbivore populations.
The moist deciduous forests are represented by Tectona grandis
trees and by Terminalia. Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests
occur along the wet areas of streams often alongside the tropical
evergreens.
The sholas or tropical evergreen jungles in the valleys support
trees over 30-40 m in height and on the forest floor, where
no sunlight enters, ferns and orchids are abundant.
Eucalyptus grandis plantations are now grown in the buffer
zone to the west. These are exotics and naturalists are suggesting
these trees be cut down, allowing grasses and naturally occurring
species to re-colonise the area.
Down the lake, the forest composition changes from tropical
evergreen to moist mixed deciduous and then to tropical savannah
woodlands, which eventually fade into grasslands.
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Take a Break |
| Four kilometres away is Kumily, a village where
you can get handicrafts and spices.
Spice House
Thekkady road, Kumily
Tel: 0486-322760
This deals in spices. Open from 8 am to 9.30 pm, including
Sundays.
Visit a spice garden on the park periphery. They cost about
Rs 350 per person per visit. You can contact local travel
operators to arrange for tours.
Spice Route
C/o Spice House
Thekkady road, Kumily
Tel: 0486- 322760
Open from 8 am to 9.30 pm, including Sundays.
Visit Thekkady’s Wildife Information Centre where wildlife
books and cassettes are available.
The ruins of an ancient Hindu temple can be seen at Mangladevi,
14 km from Thekkady, but entry is restricted and requires
permission.
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Contacts |
Wildlife Preservation Officer, Periyar Tiger
Reserve, Thekkady, Idukki District, Kerala Tel: 0486-322027.
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