Tucked away in the valley between the Anamalai ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala on the majestic Western Ghats is the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.This virgin valley that is the pride of Palakkad district is a glorious tribute to untouched nature.The reservoir harbours several varieties of aquatic fauna including mugger crocodiles that are often seen sunning on its banks.
The sanctuary being a major ecological continuum from Peechhi to Eravikulam through Anamalai aids the large viable populations of wildlife. It is the home ground for different races of indigenous people who are as well an integral part of the prevailing harmonious ecosystem.
The thick, opulent habitat of the sanctuary with ample water supplys make it an abode for wildlife and there by for tourist who can have treasured memories of animal sightings and that of being in the lap of mother nature
Western Ghats is one of the world’s 34 bio diversity hotspots. While considering the abundance of Wildlife and the adorable beauty of Nature, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is perhaps the most attractive piece of wilderness in the entire stretch of Western Ghats. Thus it is popularly revered as ‘Nature’s own abode’. It has a total area of 285 Sq. Kms.
History
During the 19th century , the forests of Parambikulam were in two broad administrative units viz., Sungam Forest Reserve and Parambikulam Forest Reserve.
Porter, in 1886 wrote the first ever plan to manage the Sungam Forest Reserve. Heavy exploitation of forests for valuable timber started then. Teak planting began in Parambikulam during 1921 and in 1983 was the last plantation raised.
Sungam Forest Reserve was administratively the Sungam Range of erstwhile Nemmara Forest Division and Parambikulam Forest Reserve was the Parambikulam Range.
One of the major milestones was the introduction of the tram way in 1907. It was designed to exploit the forests and remove valuable timber to Chalakkudy wherefrom it could be transported by road. However, the Special Financial Committee abolished it in 1951.
Based on P.Narayanan Nair's plan, a special Teak Plantation Division was constituted from Parambikulam Forest Reserve in 1962. By then the Sungam Forest Reserve was declared as Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (30 sq. miles) under the administrative control of State Wildlife Preservation Officer, Peermedu. Later in 1973, the Teak Plantation Division was dissolved and merged with the already notified sanctuary and a total area of 271 sq. km under the dual control of DFO, TP division and DFO, Nemmara.
In 1985, the sanctuary was administratively reorganized and it took the present shape and extent of 285 sq. km.
Highlights
Area : 285 sq. kmLocation : Longitude:76º 35’- 76º 50’ E, Latititude:10º 20’ – 10º 26’ N
Boundaries
North : Nemmara Forest Division
East : Tamil NaduWest : Chalakudy Forest Division
South : Vazhachal Forest Division
Zonation
For effective management of the sanctuary, the area has been divided into three major zones viz., core zone, buffer zone and tourism zone. The zones are made based on the parameters such as biodiversity indices, improvement in vegetation profile and ease of management.
There are three zones namely
- Core Zone
- Buffer Zone
- Toursism Zone
Core Zone
The objective of management of the core zone is to preserve it as undisturbed natural habitat.
Activities permitted
- Total protection against all forms of biotic interferences shall be ensured.
- Only scientific studies and research activities with proper sanction without destructive sampling techniques shall be permitted.
- Fuel wood collection and NWFP collection are prohibited.
Buffer Zone
Buffer zone will be managed for improving the habitat with rigid protection and for restoring naturalness to the teak plantations so that they support better floral and faunal diversity. After achieving the desired level of diversity, the area shall be upgraded into core zone .
Buffer zone will be managed for improving the habitat with rigid protection and for restoring naturalness to the teak plantations so that they support better floral and faunal diversity. After achieving the desired level of diversity, the area shall be upgraded into core zone .
Activities permitted
- Improving natural regeneration status in the degraded natural moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests by augmentation.
- Meeting of Fuel wood requirements of local tribal population
- Collection of small quantities of NWFP for sustaining the the tribal hamlets.
Tourism Zone
This zone is to provide educative experience regarding nature and wildlife conservation to the discerning tourists. Also to provide livelihood opportunities to the dependent tribal communities through Ecotourism activities organized by local tribal community based Eco Development Committees.
This zone is to provide educative experience regarding nature and wildlife conservation to the discerning tourists. Also to provide livelihood opportunities to the dependent tribal communities through Ecotourism activities organized by local tribal community based Eco Development Committees.
Special Attractions
Kannimara Teak:
Kannimara teak is one of the largest living teak tree in the world. It has an amazing girth of 6.48m and a crown height of 48.75m It is believed to be around 400 years old.
According to the local tribal belief here when this tree was tried to cut down, the blood spurted out from the place of cut. This tree was being since then worshipped by the local tribes in Parambikulam as "Virgin tree". Thus the name Kannimara is given as the word ‘ Kanni’ means ‘Virgin’. This tree has been awarded ‘Mahavriksha Puraskar’ by the Government of India.
Salim Ali Bird Interpretation Centre:
The Salim Ali Bird interpretation centre at Kuriarty offers opurtunity for bird enthusiasts to learn and study the birds of Western Ghats in general.
The gallery provides a wonderful listing of birds ranging from common birds of india, birds of western ghats, birds of kerala and birds of parambikulam.
Shola forests are unique montane vegetation occupying temperate habitats in tropical latitude and are communities restricted to valley and depressions especially along the folds of hills. Karimala hills of this sanctuary has some resembling characteristics of this type. The forest restricted to Karimala hills, is not a true shola, according to forest type description, but it shows important characters of shola plants i.e., stunted short boled highly branched trees, clothed with mosses and other epiphytes. Woody climbers are few. There is no stratification for trees and leaves are mostly small.
Trees: Cinnamomum sulphuratum, Euonymus indicus, Ligustrum robustum (rox burghii), Mesua indica, Symplocos cochinchinensis, etc.
The species growing in this type of forests are given below.
Epiphytes (Orchids): Lycopodium phlegmaria, Bulbophyllum fusco-purpureum, Bulbophyllum tremulum, Eria clavicaulis, Eria reticulate, Oberonia denticulata, Oberonia lindleyana, Dendrobium chlorops, Dendrobium nutans, D.viridiflora etc.
Ground Vegetation: Impatiens parasitica, Peperomia tetraphylla and other species of palatable grasses are in abundance.
One can witness this type of forests while trekking to the Karimala Gopuram through High Range Hiking (Hard trek) package.
Dolmens (Muniyara):
Dolmens are the traditional cemeteries of tribal head men of Parambikulam Wildlife sanctuary. The Dolmens found in the forest of Parambikulam Sanctuary is believed to be 300 years old according the local tribes.
These Dolmens are beautifully erected with the help of flat stones and it is really an archeological marvel and traditional tribal heritage.
One can witness these traditional dolmens by undertaking dolmen trail package.
Location:
Chittur Taluk of Palakkad District. To reach the place one has to go to Pollachi via Coimbatore or Palakkad.
Altitude : 300 m to 1400 m above sea level.
How To Reach
By Road: The sanctury is only approached by the road. From Palakkad come along Kollangode, Govindapuram and cross TN border to Pollachi and deviate to Anamalai on Pollachi road, clear Sethumadai checkpost and proceed to Topslip which is the entrance to Parambikulam
By Rail: Palakkad (Olavakode-125km)
By Air: Coimbatore (100 km)
Tips for the discerning tourist:
| Approach By Road | From Palakkad (Kerala) - 100 km |
| From Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) - 84 km | |
| From Pollachi (Tamil Nadu) - 38 km | |
| Nearest Railway Station | Palakkad (Kerala) - 100 km |
| Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) - 84 km | |
| Nearest Medical Facility | Primary Health Centre, Parambikulam - 0 km |
| Private Poly Clinics, Vettaikaranputhur - 23 km | |
| Nearest Fuel Pump | Vettaikaranputhur - 23 km |
| Bus Timings (TNSTC) | |
| From Pollachi | 6.15 am & - 3.15 pm |
| Parambikulam to Pollachi | 8.45 am & 5.45pm |
| Pollachi to Topslip | 11.20 am |
| (distance between Topslip & Parambikulam Office Head Quarter – 4 Km) | |
| Topslip to Pollachi | 1.00 pm |
Contact:
Widelife Sanctuary Office, Parambikulam, Ph: 04253-245005
District Tourism Promotio Council, Palakkad, Ph: 0491-2538996
