Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in South IndiaSprawled over an area of 90,422 sq kms at the Devikulam Taluk of Idukki district, Chinnar was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1984. It is located in the rain shadow region of Western Ghats, thus witnessing only 48 rainy days annually. This is a unique thorny scrub forest with xerophyte species and is the habitat of the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India.
As one moves from Karimuthi to Chinnar, Elephants, Spotted Deers, Sambhar, tigers, gaurs, kraits, turtles, vipers, darters, black eagles, Hanuman Monkey and even Peacocks can be seen on either side of the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. The undulated landscape with rock-strewn patches adds to the picturesque grandeur of the Sanctuary. The place is also ideal for boating and trekking.
Wet Grasslands, dry deciduous forests, high shoals are a common feature of this Sanctuary. Among the other species of flora include Acacia arabica (Karivelam), Acacia leucofolia (Velvelam), Santalum album (Chandanam), Anogeissuslatifolia (Mazhukanjiram), Elaeocarpus recurvatus (Bhadraksham) and Strobilanthus kunthianus (Neelakurinji).
The best times to visit the Sanctuary are almost throughout the year, except the months of October and November. Accommodations are easily available at a wide array of lodges, hotels and guesthouses that provide all kinds of comforts to those visiting the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.
posted by Rishil Babu @ 8:10 AM,
