Spread across 285 acres of green and incredibly biodiverse land, the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is located in Sungam hills, between Nelliyampathy and Anamalai ranges. While the Nelliyampathy hills are not very high and are only visible from the northern part of the reserve, the peaks in Anamalai hills go as high as 1,438m. These include Karimala Gopuram, Vengoli Malai, Puliyarapadam and Pandaravarai.
The Parambikulam Tiger Reserve was established in the 1960s. The forests were heavily exploited for their vast reserves of timber in the early 1900s. However, in the 1950s, the government of the newly independent state of India, Kerala, abolished the tramways that had been set up by the British for easier transport of teak. The government also prohibited tree-cutting. Today, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is a highly protected forest area.
The main attraction here, for which most tourists make the long trip to the sanctuary, are the big cats – leopards and tigers. Not everyone gets a glimpse of these glorious jungle cats, although, on rare occasions, they are known to pop by the small coffee shop near the Parambikulam bus stand to reveal themselves to the loud and colourful human beings. But for those who are spared of this hair-raising, highly adrenaline-pumping experience, other mammals such as bears, elephants, macaques and flying squirrels make the experience of tourists worthwhile.
The sanctuary also attracts over 120 kinds of butterflies, of which 34 are endemic to the region, and 134 species of birds, of which 18 are endangered. Neem, teak and sandalwood trees populate most of the forests. The oldest tree here is the majestic Kannimara Teak, believed to be 450 years old. This abundant and thriving population of flora and fauna in the sanctuary co-exists peacefully with the four indigenous tribes: Kadar, Malasar, Mala Malasar and Muduvar.
ORIENTATION
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve lies south of the Palghat Gap in the Western Ghats, between the hills of Anamalai and Nelliyampathy. Its altitude ranges from 980–4,600ft. The sanctuary has no direct roads connecting it with towns in Kerala, and must be accessed from Pollachi in Tamil Nadu. There is a certain amount of grunt work involved in getting here, as tourists will have to negotiate with the forest departments of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The latter manage the Indira Gandhi National Park at Anamalai (Entry Rs. 15), which has to be navigated to get to Parambikulam. The Annapadi checkpost, 10km from the Anamalai Sanctuary, marks the transition from Tamil Nadu to Kerala, and the beginning of the Parambikulam reserve area.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Tourism at the sanctuary is carefully monitored and visitors are only allowed inside with an experienced forest guide. Eco-tourism activities in Parambikulam include night-stays, trekking, camps and nature-education trails. All of these are organised by the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. Contact the Forest Information or Wildlife Interpretation Centre at Annapadi for guides.
It is a good idea to get there as early as possible, as animals are most active at this time of the day. One should also ideally come in a vehicle, as moving around on foot is difficult inside the park.
It is possible to stay within the sanctuary. The reserve offers a large number of accommodation options, which are basic. However, staying here for a night is quite a wonderful experience; wild animals come out to drink on the far side of the lake in the evenings. As night falls over the forests, a sort of stillness envelops the sanctuary, disturbed only by the cries of owls and the occasional roar of a tiger. On cold winter nights, the sanctuary’s many hotels offer the pleasurable experience of sitting by a fire and feasting on simple, but delicious and hot food.
For day trips, however, please remember that the gates close at 6.00pm, after which no vehicles are permitted in or out of the sanctuary. Private tour companies also arrange for trips and tours to the sanctuary.
Entry ₹170 Timings 7.00am–6.00pm Vehicle fee ₹25–80 Cell 09442201690 Email infoatecocare@gmail.com, parambikulamsanctuary@gmail.com W parambikulam.org/
Kannimara Teak
One of the oldest and largest teak trees in the world, this 450-year-old tree is 6.57m wide and 48.5m high. This tree is the remnant of the wild teak which grew in the area before the teak plantations came up. The central government had bestowed the Mahavriksha Puraskar upon the Kannimara Teak in 1994–95, declaring it a healthy, historical and valuable tree. Situated 7km from Thunakkadavu, the route itself offers plenty of sights and sounds. There is a vayal (marshy grassland) on the way, where herbivores such as deer, sambar and gaur can be usually seen in large numbers.
Trekking Trails
The Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, with its hilly terrain, peaks and valleys, offers a large number of trekking trails for adventure seekers. Peaks such as Karimala Gopuram (4,718ft) and Vengoli peak (3,675ft) are favourites of visitors and not very difficult to climb. Treks also afford sightings of highly endangered animals such as the Nilgiri tahr, although it is more likely to spot tahr droppings.
Seven eco-development committees have been set up by the forest department in Parambikulam, to bring the benefits of tourism to the indigenous tribal communities. Visitors must get permission to trek from the Forest Information Centre at Annapadi, and hire a tribal guide; one guide can accompany groups of up to five people, while larger groups will need to hire more guides. Fees range from ₹50– ₹100 per head based on the difficulty of the trek. Routes can also be selected inside the forest, with overnight stays in machans and watchtowers. Birders will love these treks, as they offer the opportunity to spot up to 268 avian species.
Dams and Reservoirs
The three dams – Parambikulam, Thunakkadavu and Peruvaripallam – are all located inside the sanctuary on the Parambiar river. Rowboats can be hired for boating at Thunakkadavu and Parambikulam. Mugger crocodiles are often spotted in the water or sunning themselves on the banks.
Boating fee ₹100 per hour
WHERE TO STAY
The day’s activities in Parambikulam come to a standstill by six in the evening, when the chains are drawn across key points on the roads and all traffic is halted. The pathways belong to fireflies and other creatures of the night. This is the time to relax on the lakeshore with steaming cups of hot tea.
The Forest Department Inspection Bungalow (Information Centre at Annapadi Cell: 09442201690/ 91; Tariff: ₹900), located at Thunak-kadavu, overlooks the reservoir.
The bungalow has attached bathrooms and hot water is provided on request. A cook is also available.
There are two tree-top huts with attached bathrooms, one each at Thunakkadavu (Tariff: ₹3,850–5,500 per couple) and Parambikulam (Tariff: ₹2,750–3,300 per couple). The tree-top huts also overlook the beautiful reservoir.
There is also the Bison Valley Lodge (Tariff: ₹200 per person) at Parambikulam, with three double rooms, each with an attached bath.
A special stay option in this area is the Vettikunnu Island Nest Cottages (Tariff: ₹8,250–8,800) situated on the Parambikulam reservoir, accessible only by boat. The cottages accommodate five people. The tariff includes boat charges and guide fee. Food must be carried from Parambikulam, though you can also cook food at Vettikunnu.
All the above should be reserved in advance via the Information Centre.
Another option is the PWD Inspection Bungalow (Tel: 04253-277223; Tariff: ₹300) located at Thunnakadavu. It has five rooms, each of which are well furnished and have attached bathrooms. The cook-cum-caretaker will arrange meals for you, although you can get meals at the several restaurants and canteens located in the vicinity. There is also a watchtower situated near the bungalow for the beautiful views of the forest around.
WHERE TO EAT
Most hotels in Parambikulam have restaurants, canteens or kitchens. At some places, such as the cottages on Vettikunnu island, overlooking the Parambikulam reservoir, tourists have to prepare their own meals. Other than these, there are a few local eateries around the reserve, which offer basic South Indian food such as idli and dosa for breakfast, and spicy fish fry and chicken curry for lunch and dinner. The Honey Comb Restaurant at the Treetop Huts offers excellent fare as well.
GETTING THERE
State Kerala
Location In Palakkad District; within the Western Ghats; contiguous with the Anamalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. To reach Parambikulam, one has to travel to Tamil Nadu first and then enter the sanctuary through the Anamalai Sanctuary
Distance 267km NE of Kochi
Route from Kochi NH47A and NH47 to Palakkad via Aluva, Angamali, Chalakudi, Thrissur, Vadakkancherri and Alathur; state roads to Annapadi checkpost via Sethumadai and Top Slip
Air Nearest Airport: Peelamedu Airport, Coimbatore (119km/ 2.5hrs). Taxis to Parambikulam (Cell: 09976494000) cost between ₹2,500–₹3,700 approximately
Rail Nearest Railhead: Coimbatore Junction is connected to Thiruvananthapuram by the Cape Mumbai, Kochuveli, Kanyakumari, Kerala and Trivandrum Expresses; to Ernakulam by Kochuveli, Sabari, Ernakulam, Kanyakumari, Alleppey Expresses; to Bengaluru by the Lokmanya TT and Bangalore Expresses, to Chennai by Nilgiri, Chennai and Cheran Expresses; to Mumbai by the Cape Mumbai and Lokmanya TT expresses and to Delhi by the Kerala Express
Road From Palakkad, cross the Palghat Gap and drive 47km to Pollachi in Tamil Nadu. Turn right towards the Anamalai Sanctuary entrance gate at Sethumadai checkpost (30km away). Parambikulam is 30km ahead via Top Slip and the Annapadi checkpost Bus Two public transport bus services, run by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), run from Pollachi, starting at 6:15am & 3:15pm every day
FAST FACTS
When to go The sanctuary closes during the summer months from May–September because of the danger of forest fires; the forest department declares the dates prior to closing. It is also advisable to avoid coming here during the monsoons
Wildlife offices
Forest Information Centre
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary Palakkad
Annapadi (HQ),
Thunnakkadavu (PO)
Cell: 09442201690/ 91
Wild Life Warden
Parambikulam Wildlife Division
Anappadi, Palakkad
Tel: 04253-277233, Cell: 09447979102
W parambikulam.org
STD code 04253