Have you ever dreamed of exploring a lush green forest where you can encounter majestic tigers, colorful birds, scenic hills, and ancient trees? If yes, then you should definitely visit Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, a wildlife sanctuary in Palakkad district of Kerala that offers a unique and unforgettable experience for nature and wildlife lovers.
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is one of the best protected ecological parks in the country, covering an area of 643.66 sq km. It is surrounded by other protected wildlife sanctuaries, forming a continuous belt of greenery that is rich in biodiversity and natural beauty. The reserve is also known for its successful tiger conservation efforts, which have resulted in a significant increase in tiger population over the years.
In this article, we will take you on a virtual tour of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve and show you why it is a paradise for nature and wildlife lovers. We will also give you some tips on how to plan your visit and enjoy the various tourism facilities and activities that are available in the reserve. So, let’s get started!
How to Reach Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is well connected by road from nearby cities and towns. The nearest town is Pollachi, which is about 41 km away from the reserve. You can either avail regular buses from Pollachi or hire local taxis to reach the reserve. The reserve is also easily reachable by road from Palakkad (90 km), Coimbatore (100 km), and Thrissur (111 km) via Pollachi.
If you are traveling by train, the nearest railway station is Pollachi Junction, which is about 25 km away from the reserve. You can also reach Coimbatore Junction, Palakkad Junction, or Podanur Junction, which are about 80 km away from the reserve, and then take a bus or taxi to Pollachi and then to the reserve.
If you are traveling by air, the nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport, which is about 96 km away from the reserve. You can also reach Kochi International Airport, which is about 155 km away from the reserve, and then take a bus or taxi to Thrissur and then to Pollachi and then to the reserve.
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is not only a destination in itself, but also a gateway to many other attractions and destinations that can be visited along with the reserve.
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Nearby Places That You Can Explore During Your Trip:
Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary: This is a contiguous protected area that shares its boundary with Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. It covers an area of 958 sq km and has a rich diversity of flora and fauna. It is also known for its scenic beauty and waterfalls. You can enjoy various activities such as jungle safari, elephant safari, trekking, boating, etc. in this sanctuary.
Top Slip:
This is a popular tourist spot located in Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. It is named after the local practice of sliding timber logs down the hills from here. It has a forest guest house, an elephant camp, a tree house, and a children’s park. You can also visit the nearby Karian Shola, a pristine patch of evergreen forest that is home to many rare species of plants and animals.
Valparai:
This is a hill station located in the Anamalai Hills at an altitude of 1193 m above sea level. It is known for its tea plantations, misty mountains, and wildlife sightings. You can visit various places such as Balaji Temple, Nallamudi Viewpoint, Sholayar Dam, Monkey Falls, etc. in Valparai.
Athirapally Waterfalls:
This is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Kerala, located in Thrissur district. It falls from a height of 80 m and creates a majestic sight. It is also known as the “Niagara Falls of India” and has been featured in many movies. You can enjoy the view of the falls from various points or take a trek to reach its base.
Nelliampathy Hills:
This is another hill station located in Palakkad district at an altitude of 467 m to 1572 m above sea level. It is known for its orange plantations, coffee estates, and panoramic views. You can visit various places such as Pothundi Dam, Seethargundu Viewpoint, Kesavanpara Viewpoint, etc. in Nelliampathy Hills.
Silent Valley National Park:
This is one of the most pristine and biodiverse national parks in India, located in Palakkad district. It covers an area of 237 sq km and has a core area of 89 sq km. It is known for its tropical evergreen rainforest that harbors many endemic and endangered species of plants and animals. It is also known for its cultural heritage and tribal settlements.
These are some of the places that you can visit nearby Parambikulam Tiger Reserve and make your trip more memorable and enjoyable.
Tiger Conservation and Population
One of the main attractions of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is its tiger population, which shows a remarkable growth and stability. According to the 2010 census, Parambikulam and surrounding sanctuaries are home to 32-36 tigers. The reserve has also been recognized as a model for tiger conservation by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
The reserve has implemented various measures to protect and monitor the tigers, such as anti-poaching squads, camera traps, radio collars, etc. The reserve also involves the local tribal communities in the conservation efforts, providing them with alternative livelihoods and awareness programs.
If you are lucky, you might spot a tiger during your visit to the reserve. You can also enjoy a jungle safari that takes you through the core areas of the reserve where tigers roam freely. You can also learn more about the tigers and their habitats from the trained guides and naturalists who accompany you on the safari.
Biodiversity and Bird Watching
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is not only about tigers. It is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna that will amaze you with their variety and beauty. The reserve has about 39 species of mammals, 16 species of amphibians, 61 species of reptiles, 47 species of fish, over 1000 species of insects and 124 species of butterflies.
Some of the notable mammals that you can see in the reserve are elephants, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, gaur, sambar deer, spotted deer, nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, etc. You can also spot some rare and endangered species such as nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque, slender loris, etc.
The reserve is also a paradise for bird watchers, as it has about 250 species of birds that offer fantastic bird watching opportunities. Some of the spectacular species of birds that you can see in the reserve are grey-headed fishing eagle, peninsular bay owl, nilgiri wood pigeon, black-capped kingfisher, great black woodpecker, lesser grey-headed fish eagle, etc.
You can also enjoy some nature trails and treks that take you through different habitats and ecosystems in the reserve. You can observe the different plants and animals that live in these habitats and learn more about their adaptations and interactions. You can also appreciate the scenic beauty and tranquility of the forest.
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Anamalai Hills and Valleys
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is not only about wildlife. It is also about landscape. The reserve nestles between the Anamalai hills and the Nelliampathy hills, creating a stunning scenery of hills and valleys that will take your breath away.
The reserve has four peaks that offer sweeping views of the greenery below. They are:
Karimala Gopuram: This is the highest peak in the reserve at 1438m above sea level. It offers a spectacular view of the Thunakadavu and Parambikulam reservoirs.
Pandaravarai: This is the second highest peak in the reserve at 1290m above sea level. It offers a panoramic view of the Anamalai hills and valleys.
Vengolimala: This is the third highest peak in the reserve at 1120m above sea level. It is frequented by travelers to have a glance of the nilgiri tahr, an endangered species of mountain goat.
Puliyarapadam: This is the fourth highest peak in the reserve at 1010m above sea level. It offers a splendid view of the Parambikulam valley and the teak plantation.
You can also climb the watchtower that is located near the reserve’s entrance. It gives you a bird’s eye view of the rivers and lush green valleys that surround the reserve. You can also spot some wildlife and birds from the watchtower.
Teak Plantation and Kannimara Tree
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is not only about hills and valleys. It is also about trees. The reserve is credited with the first scientifically managed teak plantation in the world, which was established by the British in 1842. The plantation covers an area of 89 sq km and has about 1.5 million teak trees.
The plantation also has the world’s largest and oldest teak tree, named Kannimara. The tree is believed to be 350 years old and has a height of 40m and a girth of 6.4m. It requires four persons with their outstretched hands to encircle the tree.
The tree is considered as an abode of celestial beings by the tribals living in the forest. They worship the tree and conduct special prayers near it periodically. The tree has also won the Mahavriksha Puraskar award from the Government of India for being the largest living teak tree in the world.
You can visit the teak plantation and Kannimara tree during your visit to the reserve. You can marvel at the grandeur and beauty of these trees and learn more about their history and significance. You can also interact with the tribals and understand their culture and traditions.
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Tourism Facilities and Activities
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is not only about trees. It is also about tourism. The reserve offers various tourism facilities and activities that cater to different tastes and preferences of visitors. Some of them are:
Accommodation:
The reserve has different types of accommodation options for visitors, such as tented niche, honeycomb, treetop hut, veettikunnu island nest, peruvari island nest, etc. These are eco-friendly and comfortable cottages that are located in scenic spots within the reserve. You can book them online through the official website of the reserve or through authorized agents.
Jungle Safari:
The reserve offers a 3-hour jungle safari that takes you through the core areas of the reserve where you can spot various wildlife and birds. The safari is conducted in jeeps or buses that are driven by trained drivers and accompanied by guides and naturalists. You can book the safari online through the official website of the reserve or through authorized agents.
Trekking Programs:
The reserve offers various trekking programs that take you through different trails and terrains in the reserve. Some of them are elephant song trekking trail, bear path trekking trail, pug mark trekking trail, etc. These are guided treks that are suitable for different levels of fitness and experience. You can book them online through the official website of the reserve or through authorized agents.
Nature Camps:
The reserve offers various nature camps that provide you with an opportunity to stay overnight in the forest and experience its beauty and mystery. Some of them are bamboo rafting camp, parambikulam island camp, jungle camp, etc. These are camping programs that include accommodation, food, activities, etc. You can book them online through the official website of the reserve or through authorized agents.
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is a paradise for nature and wildlife lovers in Kerala. It offers a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors who want to explore a lush green forest where they can encounter majestic tigers, colorful birds, scenic hills, ancient trees, and much more.
If you are interested in visiting or learning more about Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, you can visit their official website www.parambikulam.org or contact them at ww-parambikulam@forest.kerala.gov.in or +91 4253 277233.
You can also check out Tripoto’s travel guides and blogs for more information and inspiration on Parambikulam Tiger Reserve and other destinations in Kerala.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Parambikulam Tiger Reserve today and discover its beauty and diversity for yourself!
