The Shenduruny forest declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984 gets its name from an endemic species of tree called Chenkuruny (Gluta travancoria). In the central region of this moist, mixed deciduous forest, spread over hilly terrain of over 100 sq km, is the 26 sq km artificial lake formed by the Parappar dam built across the Shenduruny and Kulathupuzha rivers. But beautiful surroundings guaranteed to give those exhausted batteries a recharge is not all that the forest is famous for.

According to some recent archaeological studies, Shenduruny was the cradle of one of the oldest river valley civilizations in India one older than even the Indus Valley which dates from 4400 3700 BC! Paintings similar to those of the Mesolithic period (5210 4420 BC) found in the caves of central India, have been excavated from a cave, large enough to hold 20 people, in the northwestern part of the river.

Banasura Project at Padinjarathara, about 25 km northeast of Kalpetta, Wayanad district, north Kerala

The picturesque Banasura Project is the largest earthern dam in India and the second largest in Asia. Located in the midst of lovely, mistclad hills with a wildlife sanctuary and park full of flowering trees, this spot of enchantment has no parallel elsewhere. With its placid crystal clear waters Banasura is a wonderful picnic spot.

At Kalpetta, which once used to be the stronghold of the Jains in Kerala, you also have the attraction of historic monuments like the Ananthanathaswami Jain Temple near Puliyarmala.

15 km from Munnar.
Visiting hours: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills.

Anamudi, the highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the liontailed macaque, leopards, tigers, etc. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi.

A protected area, the sanctuary is divided into three regions the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area Rajamalai the region lying beyond the road entry into Eravikulam. Here one can observe the Nilgiri Tahr at close quarters. Don't make this your destination for a monsoon visit because visitors are not allowed here during this season.

35 km from Thalasserry and 60 km from Kannur town.

The Aralam Sanctuary is spread over 55 sq kms of undulating forest highlands on the slopes of the Western Ghats. The highest peak here Katti Betta rises to a majestic 1145 m above sea level. Covered with tropical and semi evergreen forests, the Aralam Sanctuary is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats.

Herds of deer, elephants, boars and bisons are common sights. Leopards, jungle cats and various types of squirrels are also seen here. Aralam, a village in Thalasserry, is also noted for the Central State Farm, a 3060 hectare farm started in 1971 by the Government of India. This is one of the main production centres of hybrid coconut seeds in the country.

Mananthavady, Wayanad district, North Kerala.

The district of Wayanad lies on an elevated picturesque mountainous plateau in the Western Ghats. Historians are of the opinion that organised human life existed in these parts of Kerala at least ten centuries before Christ. In this virgin land, which has not seen much human habitation later, is the Begur Wildlife Sanctuary.

The forests here are amongst the most beautiful locales of Kerala. The region has a wealth of diverse species of plants and animals and is of great interest to nature lovers.

Location:
15 km from Munnar.
Visiting hours:
7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills. Anamudi, the highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride.

The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the liontailed macaque, leopards, tigers, etc. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi.

A protected area, the sanctuary is divided into three regions the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area Rajamalai the region lying beyond the road entry into Eravikulam. Here one can observe the Nilgiri Tahr at close quarters. Don't make this your destination for a monsoon visit because visitors are not allowed here during this season.