Periyar National Park

2023-04-13T12:16:02Z

Wildlifetour12: /* External links */

{{short description|Protected area in Kerala}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Periyar National Park
| photo = Periyar National Park.JPG
| photo_caption ll =
| map = India Kerala
| relief = 1
| map_width = 200
| label = Periyar NP
| iucn_category = II
| location =[[Idukki district|Idukki]] and [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]], [[Kerala]] state, [[India]]
| nearest_city = [[Kottayam]], [[Kochi (India)|Kochi]]
| coordinates = {{coord|9|28|N|77|10|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area_km2 = 350
| established = 1934-1950 (As Nellikkaampetty Game sanctuary), 1950-present(As Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary)
| visitation_num = 180,000
| visitation_year = 1986
| governing_body = [[Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department|Department of Forests and Wildlife (Kerala)]] 
Field Director: Sri. Georgi P Mathechan 
Deputy Director: Smt. Silpa V. Kumar
| administrators=
}}

'''Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary''' ('''PNP''') is a [[protected area]] located in the districts of [[Idukki district|Idukki]] and [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]] in [[Kerala]], [[India]]. It is notable as an [[Project Elephant|elephant reserve]] and a [[Project Tiger|tiger reserve]]. The protected area encompasses {{cvt|925|km2|mi2}}, of which {{cvt|305|km2|mi2}} of the core zone was declared as the Periyar National Park in 1982. The park is a repository of rare, [[endemism|endemic]], and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala: the [[Periyar River|Periyar]] and the [[Pamba River|Pamba]].

The park is located high in the [[Cardamom Hills]] and [[Pathanamthitta district|Pandalam Hills]] of the south [[Western Ghats]] along the border with [[Tamil Nadu]]. It is {{cvt|4|km|mi}} from [[Kumily]], approximately {{cvt|100|km|mi}} east of [[Kottayam]], {{cvt|110|km|mi}} west of [[Madurai]] and {{cvt|120|km|mi}} southeast of [[Kochi, India|Kochi]].<ref name="PTR">{{citation
|url=http://www.periyartigerreserve.org/
|title=Welcome to Periyar Tiger Reserve
|publisher=Periyar Tiger Reserve
|year=2012
|access-date=2012-01-31
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103092354/http://www.periyartigerreserve.org/
|archive-date=3 November 2019
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE ENTRANCE.jpg|thumb|left|Entrance to the [[tiger reserve]]]]
[[File:LAKE AT PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY.jpg|thumb|left|Periyar Lake]]
The first official action towards the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity in Kerala was taken in 1934 by the [[Maharaja]] of [[Travancore]], [[Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma]], by declaring the forests around Periyar lake as a [[Private protected areas of India#From the Southern princely states|private reserve]] to stop the encroachment of tea plantations.<ref>"The Thiruvithancore King Sri Chithira Thirunal Balaramavarma had put forward the law to conserve the forest. He also appointed S.C.H Robinson as Forest Conservation Officer. Soon Robinson came to know the importance of the area and recommended that the area should be protected. The King then directed that this area should be protected and later become the sanctuary." By Periyar Tiger-Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Periyar Tiger-Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala|url=http://www.sreestours.com/periyar-tiger.html|access-date=8 June 2014}}</ref> It was founded as Nellikkampatty Reserve. It was consolidated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1950 after the political integration of India.

== Geography ==
[[File:Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary Mountains.jpg|thumb|The misty mountain ranges of the Periyar region]]
Periyar National Park lies in the middle of a mountainous area of the [[Cardamom Hills]]. In the north : The boundary commences from the point nearest to the Medaganam in the
interstate boundary up to Vellimalai. and the east Thence the boundary follows the inter-state boundary from Vellimalai to
Kallimalai Peak (G.O. (P) No.65/2003/F&WLD dated Thiruvananthapuram, 20 December 03) (1615 M) it is bounded by mountain ridges of over {{convert|1700|m|ft|abbr=on}} altitude and toward the west it expands into a {{convert|1200|m|ft|abbr=on}} high [[plateau]]. From this level the altitude drops steeply to the deepest point of the reserve, the 100 metre valley of the [[Pamba River]]. The highest peak in the park is the {{convert|2019|m|ft|abbr=on}} high [[Kottamala]], the southernmost peak in India higher than {{convert|2000|m|ft|0}}. The [[Periyar (river)|Periyar]] and [[Pamba River]]s originate in the forests of the reserve, both in [[Mlappara]].<ref name="PTR catchment">
{{citation
|url=https://www.periyartigerreserve.org/Knowmore?id=60b87d102f9436962dd1356e&content=Periyar%20Tiger%20Reserve
|title= Periyar Tiger Reserve - UNESCO World Heritage site
|publisher= Periyar Tiger Reserve
|year=2021
|access-date=2021-08-12
}}</ref>
The other prominent peaks within the park are Pachayarmala, Vellimala, Sunderamala, Chokkampetti mala and Karimala.<ref name="KFRI2">{{cite web|url= http://docs.kfri.res.in/KFRI-RR/KFRI-RR150.pdf |title=STUDIES ON THE FLORA OF PERIYAR TIGER RESERV| year=1998|publisher=Kerala Forest Research Institute|pages=8|access-date=24 January 2016|location=India}}</ref> The topography consists of steep and rolling hills which are thickly wooded.
The sanctuary surrounds Periyar Lake, a reservoir measuring {{convert|31|km2|mi2|abbr=on}},<ref>
{{citation
|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Periyar-River
|title=Periyar River
|publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica
|year=2016
|access-date=2021-08-12
}}</ref> which was formed when the [[Mullaperiyar Dam]] was erected in 1895. The reservoir and the Periyar River meander around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a permanent source of water for the local wildlife.

== Climate ==
The temperature varies depending upon the altitude and it ranges between 15°C in December and January and 31°C in April and May. Annual [Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation] is between 2000 and 3000 mm, about two-thirds occurring during the [southwest monsoon] between June to September. Much of the rest occurs during the [northeast monsoon] between October and December.
Summers are warm with some precipitation in April and winters are cold.

== Boundaries ==
*North: The boundary commences from the point nearest to the Medaganam in the interstate boundary up to Vellimalai.
*East: Thence the boundary follows the inter-state boundary from Vellimalai to Kallimalai Peak (1615 M)
*South: Thence the boundary follows along the main ridge to Chokkampettymalai Peak (1805 M). Thence along the main ridge to Udumalai (1594 M) (the same boundary which divides Ranni Forest Division and existing Periyar Tiger Reserve).
*West:Thence the boundary proceeds due north along the main ridge dividing Periyar Tiger Reserve and Ranni Forest Division to Manikamalai and thence along the ridge to Sundaramalai 1813 M from Sundaramalai the boundary runs along the main ridge to Mangaladevi top 1737 M, and thence to Pachimalai top 1805 M from Puchimala top the boundary follows the Nallah in itself bank, Nallah coming from Mannarkavala and then proceed along Cherakottai river till it joins the Periyar lake between Pandaravara-malai and Poupara.

(G.O. (P) No.65/2003/F&WLD dated Thiruvananthapuram, 20 December 03)

==Flora==
[[File:Cleome (Spider Flower) in Gavi.jpg|thumb|right|[[Cleome hassleriana|Spider flower]] (''Cleome hassleriana'') in the park]]
[[File:Periyar National Park 02.jpg|thumb|right|Submerged trees in Periyar Lake]]
The park is made up of [[Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests|tropical evergreen and moist deciduous forests]], [[grasslands]], stands of [[eucalyptus]], and lake and river [[ecosystem]]s.<ref name=kt>[http://www.keralatourism.org/periyar/flora-periyar-tiger-reserve.php Flora - Periyar Tiger Reserve.] Department of Tourism, Kerala.</ref> There are many hundreds of [[flowering plant]] taxa, including about 171 species of [[grass]] and 140 species of [[Orchidaceae|orchids]].<ref name=kt/>
The grasses are found in the open grasslands found on the edges of the water body where fire resistant vegetation grows and dense grasses like elephant grass are found.
This is the common dining hall of various herbivores.

The forests contain deciduous and semi evergreen trees like [[teak]], [[rosewood]]s, [[Terminalia (plant)|terminalias]], [[sandalwood]]s, [[jacaranda]]s, [[mango]]es, [[Syzygium cumini|jamun]], [[tamarind]], [[banyan]]s, [[Ficus religiosa|sacred fig]], [[plumeria]]s, [[Delonix regia|royal poinciana]], [[Pterocarpus marsupium|kino tree]], [[bamboo]]s and the only south Indian conifer, nageian wallichiana. The medicinal [[Gloriosa superba|gloriosa lily]] grows in the park. The [[Endemism|endemic]] flora includes ''[[Habenaria periyarensis]]'' and ''[[Syzygium periyarensis]]''.<ref name=kt/>

The park is surrounded by agricultural regions, especially [[plantation]]s of such crops as [[Camellia sinensis|tea]], [[cardamom]], and [[Coffea|coffee]].<ref name=kt/>

== Fauna ==
[[File:Gaur (Indian Bison) at Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary.jpg|thumb|left|Herd of Indian bisons, [[gaur]], at the Periyar Lake.]]
[[File:NILGIRI LANGUR Trachypithecus johnii.jpg|thumb|An adult [[Nilgiri langur]] in the Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary]]

=== Mammals ===
There are 35 species of [[mammal]]s recorded in the park, including many threatened species. It is an important tiger and elephant reserve. A total of 40 [[Bengal tiger]]s were counted across 925 square kilometers of the park in 2017.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://m-timesofindia-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/m.timesofindia.com/city/kochi/35-tigers-at-periyar-tiger-reserve-survey/amp_articleshow/56362331.cms?usqp=mq331AQECAFYAQ%3D%3D&amp_js_v=0.1#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s | title=35 tigers at Periyar Tiger Reserve: Survey | date=6 January 2017 | newspaper=The Times of India | access-date=12 July 2019 }}</ref> It is valuable for [[Indian elephant|Asian elephant]] and also for a few of [[white tiger]]s found here. Other mammals include the [[gaur]], [[sambar deer|sambar]], [[wild boar|wild pig]], [[Indian giant squirrel]], [[Travancore flying squirrel]], [[jungle cat]], [[Dhole]], [[sloth bear]], [[Nilgiri tahr]], [[lion-tailed macaque]], [[Nilgiri langur]], [[Salim Ali's fruit bat]], [[stripe-necked mongoose]], and [[Nilgiri marten]].<ref>[http://www.keralatourism.org/periyar/mammals-periyar-tiger-reserve.php Mammals - Periyar Tiger Reserve.] Department of Tourism, Kerala.</ref>

=== Birds ===
About 266 species of birds can be seen in the park, including [[Bird migration|migrants]]. Endemic birds include the [[Malabar grey hornbill]], [[Nilgiri wood pigeon]], [[blue-winged parakeet]], [[Nilgiri flycatcher]], [[crimson-backed sunbird]], and [[white-bellied r]], and [[black-necked stork]].<ref>[http://www.keralatourism.org/periyar/birds-periyar-tiger-reserve.php Birds - Periyar Tiger Reserve.] Department of Tourism, Kerala.</ref>
A four-day survey was conducted on 1–4 December 2016, organised under the aegis of the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) and found the presence of 13 new bird and 16 butterfly species that were undetected earlier. The newly found bird species included Eurasian woodcock (''[[Scolopax rusticola]]''), steppe gull (''[[Lesser black-backed gull#Subspecies|Larus fuscus barbensis]]''), grey-necked bunting (''[[Emberiza bruniceps]]'') and paddyfield warbler (''[[Acrocephalus agricola]]'').<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/New-bird-butterfly-species-found-in-PTR/article16766630.ece New bird, butterfly species found in PTR]</ref>

===Reptiles( reptilia)===
There are 45 species of reptiles- 30 snakes, 13 lizards, and two turtles. Snakes include the [[king cobra]], [[Trimeresurus malabaricus|Malabar pit viper]], and [[Calliophis nigrescens|striped coral snake]].
[[File:Bicolored Frog or Malabar Frog.jpg|thumb|[[Bicolored frog]] (Malabar frog) ''Clinotarsus curtipes'']]

===Amphibians===
[[Amphibian]]s in the park include [[caecilian]]s, [[frog]]s, and [[toad]]s. Species include the [[Malabar gliding frog]], [[Duttaphrynus melanostictus|Asian toad]], [[fungoid frog]], and [[bicolored frog]].<ref>[http://www.keralatourism.org/periyar/reptiles-periyar-tiger-reserve.php Reptiles and amphibians - Periyar Tiger Reserve.] Department of Tourism, Kerala.</ref>

=== Fish ===
There are about 40 species of fish in the local lakes and rivers include the [[Lepidopygopsis typus|Periyar trout]], [[Crossocheilus periyarensis|Periyar latia]], [[Hypselobarbus periyarensis|Periyar barb]], [[Puntius ophicephalus|channa barb]], and [[Travancoria jonesi|Travancore loach]].<ref>[http://www.keralatourism.org/periyar/fishes-periyar-tiger-reserve.php Fish - Periyar Tiger Reserve.] Department of Tourism, Kerala.</ref>

=== Insects ===
[[File:Mycalesis junonia-Thekkady.jpg|thumb|''[[Mycalesis patnia|Mycalesis patnia junonia]]'' in Periyar National Park]]
[[File:Hemicordulia asiatica 02 (cropped).jpg|thumb|''[[Hemicordulia asiatica]]'' in Periyar National Park]]
There are about 160 [[butterfly]] taxa, including the South India's largest butterfly [[southern birdwing]], [[Papilio demoleus|lime butterfly]], [[Idea malabarica|Malabar tree nymph]], [[Choaspes benjaminii]](Indian awlking), [[Thoressa evershedi]](Evershed's Ace) which is endemic to the South Western Ghats, [[Thoressa astigmata]](Southern spotted ace) which is also endemic to the southern parts of the western ghats, but is more common and with a greater range than T.evershedi, [[Thoressa honorei]](Madras ace), the highly threatened [[Parantirrhoea marshalli|Travancore evening brown]], which can only be found in cane brakes, various kinds of uncommon [[Mycalesis]] species(the bushbrowns), some of which are endemic to the [[Western Ghats]], and many kinds of [[moth]]s, such as the [[Attacus taprobanis|Southern Atlas moth]].<ref>[http://www.keralatourism.org/periyar/butterflies-periyar-tiger-reserve.php Butterflies and moths - Periyar Tiger Reserve.] Department of Tourism, Kerala.</ref> A survey jointly conducted by the Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation, Indian Dragonfly Society and the Forest and Wildlife Department in October 2017 found 77 species of [[odonata]] including Asian emerald (''[[Hemicordulia asiatica]]'').<ref name="Hindu">{{cite news |title=Survey finds surprise sighting of Indian Emerald dragonfly |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/survey-finds-surprise-sighting/article19957758.ece |access-date=15 September 2018 |publisher=The Hindu |date=2017-11-01}}</ref><ref name="Indian Express">{{cite news |title=Kerala: Endemic dragonfly species reported after 80 years at Periyar reserve |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-endemic-dragonfly-species-reported-after-80-years-at-periyar-reserve-4917143/ |access-date=15 September 2018 |date=2017-11-01}}</ref> A survey jointly conducted by the same team in September 2018 found eight more new species.<ref name="Manorama">{{cite news |title=Eight new species of dragonflies found in Kerala |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/lifestyle/news/2018/09/10/eight-new-species-of-dragonflies-found-in-kerala.html |access-date=15 September 2018 |publisher=Manorama Online |date=2018-09-10}}</ref>

== Timeline ==
*1895 – Construction of the [[Mullaperiyar Dam]]
*1899 – Formation of the Periyar Lake Reserve
*1933 – S.C.H. Robinson made the first game warden
*1934 – Formation of Nellikkampatty Game Sanctuary
*1950 – Consolidation of Periyar as a [[Wildlife refuge|wildlife sanctuary]]
*1978 – Declaration of Periyar as a [[Animal sanctuary|tiger reserve]]
*1982 – Preliminary notification of the core area as a [[national park]]
*1991 – Brought under [[Project Elephant]]
*1996 – India Eco-development Project launched
*2001 – Divided into Periyar East and Periyar West
*2004 – Formation of Periyar Foundation
*2007 – 148 km2 of the Goodrical Range added to the reserve<ref name="PTR"/>
*2011 – The management of Periyar Tiger Reserve has been assessed as "very good" by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.<ref>Sudhi, K. S. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110521225846/http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/17/stories/2011051758470400.htm Acclaim for Periyar, Parambikulam tiger reserves.] ''The Hindu'' 17 May 2011.</ref>
*2012 - An additional 148 km2 of evergreen forest at Ponnambalamedu added to the reserve<ref>Pillai, P. T. M. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120406004823/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ponnambalamedu-comes-under-periyar-tiger-reserve/224982-60-116.html Ponnambalamedu comes under Periyar Tiger Reserve.] IBNLive.com India, 28 January 2012.</ref>

== Ecosystem valuation ==
It is estimated that the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) provides flow benefits worth 17.6 billion rupees (1.9 lakh (190,000)/ hectare) annually. Important ecosystem services included gene-pool protection (7.86 billion), water provisioning to districts of Tamil Nadu (4.05 billion), habitat and refugia for wildlife (3.55 billion), employment generation for local communities (25 million), water purification services to nearby towns and districts (483 million) and recreation value (425 million).<ref>http://21tiger.zslsites.org/assets/21tiger/Resources/NTCA_Report2015.pdf</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Periyar National Park foxes.jpg|[[Dhole]]s in the park
Periyar National Park - 3.JPG|Landscape
Periyar National Park - 2.JPG|A boat cruise on Periyar Lake
Entrance to Information Centre at Periyar Tiger Reserve.jpg|Entrance to the Information Centre
</gallery>

== See also ==
*[[Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary]]
*[[List of birds of South India]]
*[[Ranni Forest Division]]

== Films ==
*''[[Life for Lives]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://www.periyarnationalparkonline.in/ periyar national park booking]
*[https://www.periyarfoundation.online/ Online Booking for Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation]
*{{commons category-inline|Periyar National Park}}
* {{Wikivoyage-inline}}

{{Protected areas of Kerala}}
{{National Parks of India}}
{{Tiger Reserves Of India}}
{{Tourism in Kerala|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Tiger reserves of India]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Kerala]]
[[Category:Periyar (river)]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1982]]
[[Category:South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries of the Western Ghats]]
[[Category:South Western Ghats montane rain forests]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in Kerala]]
[[Category:Geography of Idukki district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Idukki district]]
[[Category:Geography of Kottayam district]]
[[Category:Geography of Pathanamthitta district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Pathanamthitta district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kottayam district]]
[[Category:Elephant reserves of India]]
[[Category:National parks in Kerala]]
[[Category:Pamba River]]

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Periyar National Park