States Kerala Wildlife Tourism

Wildlife Tourism in Kerala

Interesting Facts

  • Eravikulam National Park is regarded as one of the best managed national parks in the country.
  • Animals found here are Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus), nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), and grizzled giant squirrel (Ratufa macroura).
  • Bird species which can be found here are Grebes, Shearwaters and petrels, Storm petrels, Tropicbirds, Pelicans, Boobies and gannets, Cormorants, Darters, Frigate, Bitterns, herons and egrets
  • Reptiles which can be found here are king cobra, viper, python, and various turtles and crocodiles
  • The Periyar National Park, Kerala, is not just the only national park in South India but in the whole of India to have an artificial lake which flows through its forests.
  • Forested area of Kerala is home to at least 325 globally threatened bird, amphibian, and reptile and fish species.
Wildlife Tourism in Kerala
  • Wildlife Safari in Kerala

    Wildlife Safari in Kerala

    Muthanga or Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Rainforest Trekking in Kerala

    Rainforest Trekking in Kerala

    Meenmutty to Nilambur, Wayanad
  • Muthanga or Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary Kerala

    Wildlife Trekking in Kerala

    Muthanga or Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary

Forest Area

Total Forest Area11309.5032 Sq.Km
Percentage of forest area to the total area of the state29.10%
By Legal Status (Area as per records)
Reserved Forests9107.2066 Sq.Km
Proposed Reserve364.5009 Sq.Km
Vested Forests & Ecologically Fragile Lands1837.7957 Sq.Km
TOTAL11309.5032 Sq.Km

Geographical Facts

Total No of National Parks in Kerala6
Total No of Biosphere Reserve in Kerala2
Wildlife Sanctuary17
Tiger Reserve 2
Total No of Bird Species453
Total No of Animal Species

National park

NameArea (km2) Year started
Eravikulam National Park971978
Periyar National Park3501982
Silent Valley National Park237. 521984
Anamudi Shola National Park7.52003
Mathikettan Shola National Park12.8172003
Pambadum Shola National Park1.3182003

Biosphere Reserve

NameArea (km2) Year started
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve1455.41986
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve17012002

Wildlife Sanctuary

NameArea (km2) Year started
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary7771950
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary1281958
Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary1251958
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary344.441973
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary2851973
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary701976
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary251983
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary531983
Chimmony Wildlife sanctuary851984
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary90.441984
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary1711984
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary551984
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary0.02742004
Kurinjimala Sanctuary322006
Chulanur Wildlife Sanctuary3.422007
Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary74.215[6]2010

Tiger Reserve

NameArea (km2) Year started
Periyar Tiger Reserve9251978
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve648.51973

Kerala Wildlife Travel Guide

Kerala supports a wealth of distinctive flora and fauna. Whether it's deep inside the sea or in the middle of jungle wilderness, Kerala is an exciting wildlife destination waiting to be explored. While strolling on the beaches or passing through the rich paddy fields of the coastal plains, here tourists will encounter dozens of exotic birds. Jungles of Kerala are a mixture of grasslands, tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous and mixed deciduous forests. Wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala have successfully conserved some of the unique coastal animals.

These jungles, which are spread over the length and breadth of Kerala, provide a perfect opportunity to rejoice the glory of Mother Nature. There are 6 national parks, 2 biosphere reserves, 16 wildlife sanctuaries and 2 wildlife reserves in Kerala. Lush green jungles of Kerala boast an array of flora and fauna species which lures the wildlife lovers from around the world to come here.

Kerala is emerging as a wildlife tourism hot spot of the millennium as it serves up a unique tourist menu. Around 2500 species of flowering plants have been found in Kerala apart from countless other grasses, ferns and brackens. One of the region's most distinctive trees which can be found in both the coastal and hilly areas of Kerala is the stately Banyan. Periyar National Park is known for the many species of flowering plants, including nearly 150 species of Orchids, which have been recorded here. The rare orchid Habeneria Periyarancis, named after the region can only be found here.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, and Eravikulam National Park are some of the most vivid national parks where tourist can witness the true hues of nature. Here, visitors can treat themselves to the colors and music of nature. In fact, India's first biosphere reserve- Nilgiri is also located in Kerala.

National Parks in Kerala

National Parks in Kerala

There are 6 national parks within the borders of Kerala. These national parks are probably one of the most magnificent gifts of nature to mankind, a unique preserve of tropical rainforest in all its pristine glory. Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley National Park, and Periyar National Park are some of the exceptional national parks in Kerala. Most of them were established during the British Era and were used by the British for their many hunting expeditions.

Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala

Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala

From Munnar to Kovalam, Kerala is adorned with the most exclusive variety of flora and fauna. A large number of tourists throng Kerala in search of peace, tranquillity. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary in Palakkad district and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki, are some of the finest sites in Kerala; they are now under the observation of UNESCO world heritage committee who will decide whether or not consider them as the world heritage sites.

Bird Sanctuaries in Kerala

Bird Sanctuaries in Kerala

In Kerala, one can catch sight of some exotic bird species as well. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Thattekkad Bird sanctuary are the places where tourists can spot avian species like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, herons and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian duck. One doesn't have to be a wildlife enthusiast to enjoy Kerela's abundant bird life. Breatakingly beautiful birds regularly flash between the branches of trees or appear overhead perched on top of wires along the roadside.

Tiger Reserves in Kerala

Tiger Reserves

Home to some of the largest concentration of tigers on the planet, Periyar Tiger Reserve and Parambikulam Tiger Reserve are teeming with a rich lifestyle. In Periyar tiger reserve, one can see the gentle giants roaming around the herds; it is also home to a large number of butterfly species. Located on the evergreen hills of the Western Ghats, this tiger reserve is also one of the wildlife national parks in India. There is one more tiger reserve in Kerala i.e. Parambikulam tiger reserve. All thanks to less Human interference, the park is endowed with excellent peninsular flora and fauna.

Bird Sanctuaries in Kerala

Bird Sanctuaries in Kerala

In Kerala, one can catch sight of some exotic bird species as well. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Thattekkad Bird sanctuary are the places where tourists can spot avian species like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, herons and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian duck. One doesn't have to be a wildlife enthusiast to enjoy Kerela's abundant bird life. Breatakingly beautiful birds regularly flash between the branches of trees or appear overhead perched on top of wires along the roadside.

Kerala Travel Information