One of the twelve wildlife sanctuaries that fall in protected areas of Kerala, Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is situated 18 km away from the Marayoor in Idduki District, Kerala. It falls in the 1187 sq km protected area along the Kerala-Tamilnadu border around Annamalai hills. Covering the area of 90.02 sq km, the park is under consideration of UNESCOs world heritage site list.
The region of the sanctuary is an integral part of 11 tribal settlement, dating goes back to 5000 BC. Inside the park you can find murals of main habitants Muthuvas and Pulayars whose main occupation was cultivation of maize, ragi, lemongrass and marijuana for religious purpose.
The sanctuary has diverse variety of vegetation and varies according to the altitude. It is the perfect home to 965 varieties of flowers. At the higher western elevations, the vegetation compromises mostly grassland, wet grasslands, rain forest and high shoal ranges. South western Ghats moist deciduous forest lies at the mid elevations and dry deciduous and horny scrub forests at the lower dryer eastern edges of the valley.
Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary offers shelters to 34 species of mammals such as panthers, spotted deer, Asiatic Elephants, Gaur, tigers, Sambar, common Langur, bonnet macaque, hanuman monkey, endangered nilgiri tahr, vulnerable Rusty-spotted cats and Grizzled Giant Squirrels. It is also an ideal shelter to 250 species of avian life such as yellow-throated bulbul Peafowl, Bulbul, Flycatcher, Kingfisher, Drongo, Bushchats, and Hoopoes and many more. You can also explore the 52 species of reptiles such as 29 species of snakes, Indian star tortoise and the largest population of Crocodiles.
By Air- the nearest airport is the Cochin Airport from here you can get flight for any other major cities of India.
By Rail- Ernakulam is the nearest station and from station, there are number of buses available for the sanctuary.
By Road- the sanctuary is located on the highway of the Munnar-Udumalpet. The state run buses are available any time to reach the Chinnar sanctuary.
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