Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki

If you want to enjoy the lush green vistas where you can forget all the stress of the modern life than Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki in Kerala is the place to be. This scenic place will offer you the opportunity to merge with the tribes and enjoy their culture, tradition and truly the time will take you to the prehistoric era where you will be just another citizen of the tribes. Enjoying their delectable cuisines and watching panthers, peacocks, giant squirrels and butterflies flying around you will make you feel in heaven.    Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary located in the rain shadow region of Western Ghats is unique thorny scrub forest with xerophytes species. Chinnar Sanctuary unlike other sanctuaries of Kerala receives barley 48 days of annual rainfall which is very rich in wildlife and deciduous forests making the place more pleasurable for trekking. This beautiful sanctuary is one among the twelve protected wildlife sanctuaries and one of the most prominent tourist destinations in Kerala. It is located only 18 km from the Marayoor Panchayat in Idukki district and this sanctuary today is under UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Chinnar Sanctuary is home to the two gorgeous Rivers i.e, Pambar and Chinnar Rivers offers an exotic view for the vacationers here along with the splendid view of Thoovanam Waterfalls on the Pambar River is another attraction which entices the tourists. Rich in flora and fauna is the most prominent highlight of this sanctuary which is abode to 156 species of butterflies, 52 species of reptiles, 42 species of fishes and 34 species of mammals. Some of the major animals, snakes and birds which can be found here are such as:Snakes: Panthers, Cobra, Krait, Viper and numerous non poisonous snakes can be seen here.Animals: Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats, Poorcu Pine, Elephants, Sambar Deer, Wild Boar, Malabar Giant Squirrel etc. Birds: Peacocks, Jungle Fowl, Laughing Thrush, Black Bulbul, Peafowl, Wood Peecker, Kingfisher are some of the major birds which can be seen and enjoyed here.   Huge watchtower built here in this sanctuary offers the panoramic view of the wild lives and truly enjoying them from the watchtower will elate the vacationer’s heart and soul. The major stretch of sandalwood forest nearby is the major tourist attractions here where the tourist surely will get intoxicated by its fragrance. This is also an ideal place to watch groups of Bisons marching. High Sholas, Wet Grasslands and Dry deciduous forests add diversity of the sanctuary and truly is the place to enjoy every step of it. The nearest railway station is Ernakulam which is 130 Km and the nearest airport is Cochin International Airport 150 km; numerous buses connect Chinnar to major states of India. Thus reaching to this scenic sanctuary will not be a herculean task as it is connected by all the means of transports. The best season to visit this place is considered between the month of December and April.