District-wise Wildlife Sanctuaries are given below-
Kannur-
1. Aralam Sanctuary-
Northernmost WLS of Kerala. Established in 1984 spread over 55sqkm, it is the home to a variety of flora & fauna. Highest peak is 'Katti Betta' 1145m above sea level.
2. Kottiyoor Sanctuary-
It's a critical biodiversity hotspot.
Kottiyur forest is part of Nilagiri biosphere reserve, adjacent to Bandipur Tiger park in Karnataka.
Wayanad-
1. Wayanad(Tholpetti-Muthanga)WLS formed in 1973. It's the 2nd largest WLS of Kerala spread over 345sqkm. It's situated at Kerala-T.Nadu-Karnataka border as a part of Nilagiri Biosphere Reserve.
It's one of safe place for vultures like White-rumped & Red-headed vultures.
Kozhikode-
1. Malabar WLS spread over 74 sqkm centered at Peruvannamoozhi.
Sanctuary is known for 'reed frogs' at Kakkayam. Urakkuzhy waterfalls, Peruvannamoozhi & Kakkayam dam reservoirs are the tourist attractions.
Palakkad-
1. Parambikulam Sanctuary-
Spread over 391sqkm. World's biggest Teak tree 'Kannimaram' found here. WLS can only be accessed from Tamil Nadu state.
2. Choolannur Bird Sanctuary- Dedicated to preserving National bird Peacock.
Named after Ornithologist KK Neelakandan(Induchoodan).
Thrissur-
1. Peechi-Vazhani WLS
It's the 2nd oldest WLS in Kerala established in 1958 headquartered at speech, Thrissur.
2. Chimmini Sanctuary-
Established in 1984 with area 85 sqkm, Chimmini sanctuary is situated on the western slopes of Nelliampathy hills, Thrissur. Blue Mormon( Papillo Polymnestor). It is the state butterfly of Maharashtra & the 2nd largest butterfly found in the state. Largest butterfly is Southern Birdwing.
Ernakulam-
1. Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary- called the Green lung of Kochi, is the smallest WLS in Kerala.
2. Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary-
1st bird sanctuary of Kerala over 25 sqkm area near Kothamangalam. Also called The Salim Ali bird sanctuary, the famed ornithologist who observed Thattekkad as the richest bird habitat on Peninsular India.
Idduki- district with maximum no.of Nparks & Sanctuaries.
1. Idduki Sanctuary
Idduki WLS Formed in 1976 spread over 77 sqkm. Highest peak is Vanjur medu (1272m). Periyar & Cheruthoniyar flows through the sanctuary.
2. Kurinjimala Sanctuary(2006) - 1st Sanctuary in India to conserve a particular plant species.
(Neelakurinji- Strobilanthes Kunthiaya).
3. Chinnar WLS-
WLS is 18km from Marayoor in the Idduki district spread over 90km2 area. It became a national WLS in 1984. The Sanctuary is located on the rain shadow region of western Ghats. Chinnar is famed for White Bison, Indian Star tortoise, endangered giant grizzled squirrel.
6. Periyar/Thekkady Sanctuary-
The largest WLS in Kerala spread over 925 Sqkm. The thick tropical evergreen forest is home to elephants & tigers and many other species.
Kollam-
1. Shendurney WLS-
Part of Kulathupuzha Forest Division. Situated in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere reserve spread over 172 sqkm. WLS got its name from an endemic tree Chengurinji (Gluta Travancorica).
Thiruvananthapuram-
1. Pepara WLS
Situated on Trivandrum-Ponmudi road 50km north-east of Trivandrum. Formed in 1938, Located at the capital of Kerala, spread over 53sqkm on the western Ghats.
3. Neyyar WLS- The Southernmost WLS. Only lion safari park in Kerala at Marakkunnam island as a part of Neyyar WLS.
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