Eco-tourism comprising of Wild life reserves are the nature lover's paradise. The well preserved highly treasured forests, rare birds and a diversity of rare fauna are the wonderful features which fascinates you. Nilgiri Tahrs, Sloth bears, Lion - tailed macaques, Loris, Tigers, Tree pies, laughing thrushes etc...and Erumadams - a hut over the trees where you can stay, trekking, adventure trips are the main attractions here.   

Here are some of the important wild life sanctuaries-

PERIYAR WILD LIFE SANCTUARY

Periyar Wild life sanctuary is one of the world's most fascinating natural Wild life reserves. Spread across 777 sq km, Periyar sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1987.

It is situated at Thekkady, 90 kms from Kottayam.Here you can have a wonderful sight sight of lush plantations & rich forest. Its well known for wild life, scenic beauty and the artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar dam across the Periyar rivers adds its beauty. 

The reserve has 1965 flowering plants including 171 species of grass and 143 species of orchids. The greatest attraction are the herds of Wild Elephants that come down to the lake to frolic in waters. Guar Sambar Deer & Wild boar can be sighted from the boats. Malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, tiger, jungle cats, are other mammals. Birds include over 265 species including migrants, hornbills, storks, woodpeckers, kingfishers, raptors, cirmorants, grackles, and darters.

The ideal time to visit reserve is Oct-May.

Location: Idukki Dist.
Access: Nearest airport Madurai, Kochi, Trivandrum.
            Nearest railway station Theni, Kottayam, Changanaserry.

KUMARAKOM BIRD SANCTUARY

The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a favorite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Its an ornithologists paradise.

12 kms west of Kottayam, there is no end to the number of exotic birds that visit this picturesque little village by the side of Vembanad lake. A cruise along the Vembanad lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. Note worthy species include the darter or snake bird, Little Cormorant, Night heron, Golden backed wood pecker, Crow pheasant, White breasted water hen and tree pie.

The ideal time to visit is Nov-March

Location: Kottayam Dist. 
Access: Nearest airport Kochi, Trivandrum.
            Nearest railway station Kottayam.

ERAVIKULAM NATIONAL PARK

The 97 sq km park is the home to Nilgiri Tahrs (Hemitragus hylocruis) - the mountain goat of South India. The Nilgiri Langur, the lion tailed Macaque, Leopards and Tigers are the other attractions.

 The park is divided into three regions - the core area, the buffer area, and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area, which is in the Rajamala region. The  Nilgiri Tahrs can be observed at close quarters here. 

The ideal time to visit is Sept-May.

Location: Idukki Dist.
Access: Nearest airport Kochi, Trivandrum.
            Nearest railway station Kottayam, Aluva.

PARAMBIKULAM SANCTUARY

Sprawled across 285 sq km, the Parambikulam is situated in the valley between the Anaimalai ranges and Nelliyampathy ranges on the Western Ghats. It is the home to rare wild animals.

 Several streams originates from the hill ranges & flow down to join the river Chalakudi. This sanctuary is a fine example of serene, tranquil & undisturbed eco-system. The reservoir harbors several kinds of aquatic fauna. Boating / cruising facilities are available at the Parambikulam reservoir. Tree-house (Erumadam) is also available. It has a rich diversity of flora & fauna with large collection of bison, sambar deer, bear, tiger, leopard, bonnet macaque, jungle cat, mangoose, fox, spotted deer etc...

The ideal time to visit is Dec-May.

Location: Palaghat Dist.
Access: Nearest airport Coimbatore.

SILENT VALLEY NATIONAL PARK 

The core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Silent Valley National Park is probably one of the most magnificent gift of nature to mankind.A unique preserve of tropical

rain forest in all its pristine glory with an almost unbroken ecological history with an area of about 90 sq km, the park is situated in the north - eastern region of Palakkad. Sairandhrivanam meaning forest in the valley is the the other colloquial name, is referred to in legends of Mahabharatha and the river kunthi give a mythological dimension to the National Park. When the British entered this valley they found it untouched by human beings & named it Silent Valley. The valley has a fair representation of all peninsular mammals and a gene pool of tropical flora & fauna.

Location: Palaghat Dist. 
Access: Nearest airport Coimbatore.

WAYANAD WILD LIFE SANCTUARY            

Also known as Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary, covering about 344 sq km is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage

 of the region.The sanctuary is very rich in flora & fauna. The animal population is varied. Elephant,  bear, tiger, panther, jungle cats, monkeys, bison, deer etc...Peacock, babblers, owl, cuckoos, woodpecker are few commonly sighted birds. Among these elephants have prime position. The inter- seasonal migration of elephants is a common sight.  

Location: Wayanad Dist.
Access: Nearest airport Calicut.
            Nearest railway station Calicut, Mysore,Ooty.

THATTEKAD BIRD SANCTUARY

Right in between two rivers rich in fish life, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary covering an area of 25 sq km has over 200 varieties of birds. It has nesting, migratory, water & water side birds.

 Rare birds like ceylon, frog mouth, rose billed roller, blue winged parakeet can also be seen. The sanctuary is 13 kms North-East of Kothamangalam along the Pooyamkutti road in the Devikulam taluk. Rich fauna with elephants, leopards, bear, porcupine, python, cobra can be sighted here.Some of the rare birds are Malabar shama, grey heron, black winged kite, common grey horn bill and several kinds of birds usually found in South India are seen here. The famous ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali was the architect of this sanctuary. Rich in flora & fauna this sanctuary is a feast to the eyes and music to the ears.

Location: Idukki Dist.
Access: Nearest airport Kochi.
            Nearest railway station  Aluva.

CHINNAR WILD LIFE SANCTUARY

Chinnar is declared a wild life sanctuary in 1984. It is the second habitat for the endangered giant grizzled squirrel in India. Situated on both side of Marayoor and Udmumalpet road, it has a wide range of animals & birds.

Sanctuary is spread across 90.44 sq km, has the unique species of Xerophytes. The scenic beauty of the sanctuary is due to the undulated terrain with rocky patches. Unlike other forests in Kerala, Chinnar gets only about 48 rainy days in a year by North-East monsoon. The forest types comprise of thorny scrub forests, dry deciduous forest, high sholas & wet grass lands. 

One can visit the area through out the year except Oct-Nov.

Location: Idukki Dist.  
Access: Nearest airport Coimbatore & Kochi.
            Nearest railway station  Aluva & Pollachi.