Periyar
National Park is situated in the hills of the Western Ghats in the state
of Kerala in SW India. The centre piece of Periyar National park is the
5,500-hectare Periyar lake formed by the construction of a dam on the
Periyar river in 1895.
The
dam submerged low-lying forest whose dead tree trunks still jut out of
the waters. Along the fringes of the lake are marshy areas with tall
grasslands. This is one of the richest habitats of large mammals, as it
provides both excellent cover and nourishment in the form of succulent
shoots and grasses. Here it is possible to see large herds of Indian
Elephant with relative ease as well as Nilgiri Langur near Aranya Niwas
and the Liontail Macaque in higher areas.
The forests are
tropical, a mixture of deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen ‘sholas’,
the last occurring in the moist valleys and characterised by tall trees
and a closed canopy. The forests alternate with extensive patches of
grasslands. Periyar’s rich bird life includes the Giant Hornbill,
Cormorant, Darter, Osprey and Racket-tailed Drongo. The Indian Python
and King Cobra are among the reptilian fauna. Periyar has a few Nilgiri
Tahr, good numbers of which may also be seen on a day excursion to
nearby Eravikulam National Park near Munnar.
SeasonOpen
year-round, the best period being November-April.
