Deep in the mystical embrace of the Western Ghats lies a sanctuary where nature thrives in its purest form - the Periyar Tiger Reserve. One of the finest wildlife reserves in India, the sanctuary is spread across 925 square kilometers. Believed to be among the oldest tiger reserves in the country, it has an incredible diversity of flora and fauna that beckons both adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. 

In 1895 when the Mullaperiyar Dam was constructed across the west flowing Periyar River, an artificial lake was formed. This picturesque lake that lies in the very centre of the sanctuary is today the nucleus of the reserve.  The animals in the reserve including the elephants seek out these waters to cool themselves during the summers as well as for drinking water. A major part of the reserve is a combination of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests while the rest of it comprises a combination of both moist deciduous forests and grasslands.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Travancore Kings used the reserve as their hunting grounds. It was in the year 1934 that the lake reserve was converted into a game sanctuary and was named the Nellikkampatty Game Sanctuary. Later in 1950, some more area was added to this and the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was formed. When the sanctuary was included in the Project Tiger initiative of the Central Government, it was renamed the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Project Tiger was launched to protect the majestic Bengal Tigers, also known as the Royal Bengal Tiger. Around five years later in the year 1992, the reserve also became a part of Project Elephant which was launched by the Central  Ministry of Environment and Forests to protect and conserve the population of wild Asian elephants in various Indian states. In the year 1996, the India Eco-Development Project too was launched in the reserve. 

The largest reserve in the State, the abundant wildlife here along with its vibrant flora attracts throngs of visitors each year. Widely recognised as a breeding ground for tigers, the reserve is also considered to be the ideal place for researching elephantine life. Today the tiger population in the area is estimated to be around 40. Including several rare and endangered species, there are over 35 species of mammals in the reserve. The ideal way in which to see animals such as the Gaur, the Sambar and so on is a boat ride on the lake. The Gaur is the largest of the bovines here and the Sambar, the largest deer in India. They are also the main prey of the tiger and wild dog. 

Sightings of Malabar Giant Squirrels, Small Travancore Flying Squirrels, wild pigs, jungle cats, sloth bears and so on are commonly seen here. Nilgiri Langurs and the Lion-tailed Macaque, which is usually seen only in the evergreen interiors are some of the endangered species seen in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. In the higher, rocky areas Nilgiri Tahrs are found. The extremely rare Nilgiri Marten which is the only species of marten found in Southern India, Salim Ali’s fruit bat, one of the rarest bats, stripe-necked mongoose, usually found in the semi-evergreen and evergreen forests are all mammals that are extremely rare to come by elsewhere. 

The reserve is also a treasure trove of avian species. There are over 265 species of birds in the Periyar reserve including galliform birds, pigeons, woodpeckers, raptors, water birds, golden orioles, Brahmini kites, cormorants, passerines, Great Pied Hornbill and the Ceylon Frogmouth. Some of the endemic species found here include the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, the Blue-winged Parakeet, the Nilgiri Flycatcher, Malabar Grey Hornbill, the small Sunbird and the White-bellied Blue Flycatcher. 

Bamboo rafting, trekking trails, camping at the Bamboo Grove Eco Lodge and exploring the tea, cardamom, pepper and coffee plantations in the surrounding areas are all activities that visitors to the reserve look forward to. 

Watch Towers: There are a few watch towers inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve which are excellent for viewing wildlife. Reservations can be made at the Forest Information Centre, Thekkady.