Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary India

Introduction:

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Kerala, India. The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary extends over the talukas of Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola in Idukki district. It is at a distance of about 40 Kms from Thodupuzha in Kerela, a place, which has contributed many well known personalities to the development of India as well as from where the famous river of Thodupuzha flows. The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, India is famous for Indian elephants, which are becoming extinct due to poaching and other factors that are causing the deaths of these elephants. Hence it is also called as the Idukki Elephant sanctuary. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, India has an area of about 77 sq. km. and is somewhat above the normal sea level. Its altitude ranges from 450m to 758m above sea level.

The Animal Kingdom:

The Idukki reservoir has been formed due to three dams - the Cheruthoni dam, Idukki dam and Kulamavu dam. This Idukki reservoir extends to about 33 sq. km. in area. The main attractions of this sanctuary are a scenic lake, a hugh dam built in between two hills and herds of elephants and wild buffaloes. One may get a great view and experience of the tropical semi-evergreen and deciduous forests. The animal kingdom available here includes a type of monkey - Langur, Leopard and Wild Boar. The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, India not only holds these kind of limited flora and fauna but, also from the mammals kingdom are Bison, Sambhar, Deer, Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats, Tiger, Wild Boar etc while the reptile kingdom includes Cobra, Viper, Krait along with a large number of non- poisonous snakes too. Various other assorted birds that are found in this sanctuary are Jungle Fowl, Myna, Laughing Thrush, Black Bulbul, Peafowl, Woodpecker, and Kingfisher. Some of these birds are seen only here in this sanctuary only

Vegetation:

Kizhakkilachimala Lake is one of the artificial or man-made lakes in this area. It is one of the tourist attractions and just adds to the beauty of the sanctuary. The vegetation at this sanctuary is very dense. These forests tropical evergreen forests, tropical semi-evergreen forests, meadows and leaf shedding forests. These different types of forests provide some of the most rare trees, which have some medicinal value. This list includes white pine, kuntherekkapine, vayana, bhadraksham, pali, cheeni, rosewood and meadows of rolling grass. One may visit this sanctuary at anytime of the year though the best time is during the Winter season and the initial summer season, which include the months from December to April.