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Parambikkulam is an oasis
of tranquil greenery nestled in a valley between the Anamalai
ranges of Tamilnadu and the Nelliyampathy ranges of Kerala.
The Parambikkulam Wildlife Sanctuary here spreads over an
area of 285 sq km on the Western Ghats.
The sanctuary offers an
exotic experience of the rare fauna of Kerala. Quite a few
hill tribes, like the Malayars, the Kadas and the Muthuvans
also live in the jungles of Parambikkulam. The fauna here
include bonnet macaques, Nilgiri langurs, lion tailed macaques,
tigers, spectacled cobras, kraits, vipers, turtles, darters,
little cormorants and black eagles.
The sanctuary also has
a variety of trees mainly teak, neem, sandalwood and rosewood.
The oldest teak tree 'Kannimari' stands tall here.
Boat cruises can be arranged
in the Parambikkulam Reservoir. Trekking in the sanctuary
is possible with the permission of forest officials. There
is a tree-house in the Reserve Forest area in Thoonakkadavu,
the headquarters of Parambikkulam, which has to be booked
in advance. The Rest Houses of the State Forest Department
at Thoonakkadavu, Thellikkal and Elathode offer comfortable
lodging.
Getting there: Parambikkulam
is accessible by a road from Pollachi in Tamilnadu. Palakkad-Pollachi
is about 45 km by road and Pollachi-Parambikkulam is about
65 km by road.
Nearest railway
station: Pollachi about 65 km
Nearest airport:
Coimbatore in Tamilnadu state, about 55 km from Palakkad. |