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| • Western Ghats |
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| • Idukki • Munnar |
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| • Idukki |
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A
landlocked district, Idukki
is one of the most nature
rich areas of Kerala.
High ranges and wooded
valleys are grided by
three main rivers –
Periyar, Thalayar and
Thodupuzhayar –
and their tributaries.
The River pamba also has
its origin here. As a
tourist destination, Idukki
offers diverse attractions
like wildlife sanctuaries,
hill station, spice plantat-
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ion
tours, mountain treks,
elephant rides etc. Idukki
has a large population
of tribals, the main tribes
being Muthuvan, Malayareyan,
Mannan, Paliyan, Urali,
Ulladan, Malavedan, Malampanddaram
. The tribes of Kerala
have unique customs and
beliefs and maintain an
ethos which is distinctly
different from that of
the mainstream culture. |
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| Thekkady |
The very sound of the
word Thekkady conjures
up images of elephants.
Unending chains of hills
and spice scented plantations,
In the Periyar forest
of Thekkady is one of
the finest wildlife reserves
in India, and spread across
the entire district are
picturesque plantation
and hill town that hold
great opportunities for
treks and mountain walks. |
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| The
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary |
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Lying close to the plantations,
in the rich jungles of
Periyar in Thekkady is
one of the world’s
most fascinating natural
wildlife resaves –
the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
, spread across 777 sq,
km, of wich 360 sq. km
is thick evergreen forest,
the Periya Wildlife Sanctuary
was declared a Tiger Reserve
in 1978, noted for its
geomorphology, diversity
of
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wildlife and scenic
beauty, the Reserve attracts
visitors from all over
the world. Entry to the
Periya Wildlife Sanctuary
: 0600 – 1800 hrs |
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| Population
Flora: |
Over
1965 flowering plants
including 171 grass species
. 143 species of orchids
. the only South Indian
conifer Podocarpus Wallichianus |
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| Fauna: |
Mammals: Thirty five species
including * the wild elephant,
gaur, sambar deer wild
boar which can be sighted
from the boats * the Nilgiri
Tahr in the higher rocky
areas. The endangered
lion – tailed macaque
confined to the evergreen
interiors . the bonnet
macaque , Malabar giant
squirrel, flying squirrel,
tiger, jungle cat, sloth
bear etc.. |
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| Birds: |
265 species including
migrants. The hornbill,
stork, woodpecker, kingfisher,
raptor, cormorant, grackle,
darter ect. |
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| Reptiles: |
Cobra, viper, krait, a
number of non poisonous
snakes, and the monitor
lizard.
Amphibians: Frogs, toads
and limbless caecilians
include the colorful Malabar
gliding frog, common Indian
toad, Fungoid frog and
Bicoloured frog. |
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| Pisces
(fish): |
The Periyar Lake and streams
have several species of
fish including the masher,
the famous and endangered
game fish of India. The
otter, the only mammal
of the lake, can be frequently
spotted from the boat.
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| Plantation: |
Tea, Cardamom, Pepper
and Coffee plantation
surround the periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary. |
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| Kumily |
4 km from thekkaddy this
plantation town, closely
associated with Thekkaddy,
is situated on the outskirts
of Periyar Sanctuary.
An important shopping
center and spice trade
center, the main bus station
and most of the medium
range accommodation in
the Periyar region are
in Kumily. |
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| Murikkady |
5 km from Thekkady : washed
in fresh spice scented
air, Murikkady is a panorama
of Cardamom. Coffee and
Pepper plantations. |
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| Pandikuzhi |
5 km from kumali : this
picturesque spectrum of
exotic flora, fauna and
gurgling streams is cradled
between Chellarkovil and
Tamil Nadu border. A popular
picnic spot, Pandikuzhi
offers great opportunities
for trekking and is a
photographer’s delights. |
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| Thenmala |
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Thenmala is a small village at the foothills of Western Ghats and predominantly a forest area. The famous Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary is the most important ecotourism resource of Thenmala Ecotourism. This Wildlife Sanctuary is of about 100 sq. km. and harbors large varieties of flora and fauna.
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Thenmala : "Then + Mala" , i.e. in local parlance "Then" means honey and "Mala" means hillock i.e. it mean honey hills. The honey collected from Thenmala forest region is of good quality and of high medicinal value because of the unique floristic composition of the forests. |
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• Munnar |
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Munnar
is situated at the confluence
of three mountain streams
– Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni
and Kundala. 1600 m above
sea level, this hill station
was once the summer resort
of the erstwhile British
Government in South India.
Sprawling tea plantation,
picture- book towns, winding
lanes and holiday facilities
make this popular resort
town. Among the exotic
flor-
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a found in the forests
and grasslands here is
the Neelakurinji. This
flower which bathes the
hills in blue every twelve
years will bloom next
in 2006 AD. Munnar also
has the highest peak in
South India, Anamudi,
Which tower towers over
2695 m Anamudi is an ideal
spot for trekking. |
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Pothamedu
6 km from Munnar : Pothamedu
offers an excellent view
of the tea, Coffee and
Cardamom plantation in
Munnar. The rolling hills,
the lush mountain and
the breathtaking scenery
here is ideal for trekking
and long mountain walks.
Devikulam
7 km from Munnar : This
idyllic hill station with
its velvet lawns, exotic
flora and fauna and the
cool mountain air is a
rare experience. The Sita
Devi Lake with its mineral
waters and picturesque
surroundings is a good
picnic spot, The lake
is also ideal for trout
fishing.
Pallivasal
8 km from Munnar : This
is the venue of the first
Hydro Electric Project
in Kerala and a place
of immense scenic beauty
Attukal
9 km from Munnar : A panorama
of waterfalls and rolling
hills, Attukal, Located
between Munnar and Pallivasal,
is a feast for the eyes.
The place is also ideal
for long treks.
Nyayamakad
10 km from Munnar : located
between Munnar and Rajamala,
Nyayamakad is a land of
breathtaking waterfalls.
The3 waters cascade down
a hill from a height of
about 1600 meters. The
enchanting surroundings
make an excellent picnic
spot and trekking point.
Chithirapuram
10 km from Munnar : With
its sleepy little cottages,
bungalows, old playgrounds
and courts, Chithirapuram
still exudes an old world
cjarm. Home of the Pallyvasal
Hydel Power Project, this
hill town is also famous
for its picturesque tea
plantations.
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Mattupetty
13 km from Munnar : Situated
at a height of 1700 m
, mattupetty is known
for its highly specialized
dairy farm – the
Indo Swiss Livestock Project.
Over a 100 varieties of
high yielding cattle are
reared here. A visitor
allowed into 3 of 11 cattle
sheds at the farm.
Mattupetty
lake and dam, just a short
distance from the farm,
is a very beautiful picnic
spot. The sprawling Kundala
tea plantation and the
Kundala Lake are other
attractions in the vicinity.
DTPC Idukki provides
boating facilities in
the Mattupetty dam. Speed
launch, Slow speedboat
and motorboats are available
on hire. |
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Rajamalai - Eravikulam
National Park
15
km from Munnar : This
is a natural habitat of
Nilgiri Tahr. Half the
world population of the
rare mountain goat(hemitragas
hylocres ) which is fast
becoming extinct iIs now
found here. The Nilgiri
Tahrs are today reduced
to small herds found in
the Eravikulam –
Rajamala region. The total
number of nilgiri tahrs
in Rajamala is estimated
at 1317.
Echo
Point
15 km from Munnar : This
scenic place gets its
name from the natural
echo phenomenon here.
Echo Point is on the way
to Top Station from Munnar. |
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