Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary :
Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their natural habitat. Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world. The picturesque lake in the heart of the sanctuary was originally 26 sq km but now spans an area of 55 sq km. This perennial source of water, which initially led to the submersion of large tracts of forestland, slowly attracted wild animals.
It eventually resulted in the adjoining forests being granted protection by the Maharaja of Travancore. Post-Periyar National Park 975 Periyar finds itself in the enviable position of being a national park as well as a protected tiger reserve.
There are, now, an estimated 40 tigers here. Four species of primates are found at Periyar - the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Common Langur And Bonnet Macaque. Periyar also happens to be the habitat of the elusive Nilgiri Tahr, which is rarely to be seen. The birdlife comprises of Darters, Cormorants, Kingfishers, the great Malabar Hornbill and racket-tailed Drongoes. The reptilian population boasts Of Monitor Lizards that can be spotted basking in the sun, on the rocks along the lakeshore.
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March and April constitute the driest part of the year, because of which the animals spend a lot of time near the lake in the Periyar National Park. Even the tiger may be spotted approaching the waters in the Periyar National Park. Animals may be seen from motorboats on the lake or from watchtowers set up in the Periyar National Park.
The flora here is composed mainly of marshy grasslands. The forests are a mixture of grasslands, fire-resistant low-growth  vegetation, deciduous forests, semi-evergreens, and tropical evergreens. It is good to be cautious of the blood-sucking leeches that are found in plenty here.
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How to Reach Periyar
Air : Kochi (Cochin) at 200-kms or Madurai in Tamil Nadu at140-kms are the nearest airports from Periyar.
Rail : Kottayam at 114-kms is the nearest railhead from Periyar.
Road : Kumily, the nearest town from Periyar is well served by both state and private buses from Kottayam, Ernakulam and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.
Kunthakulam Sanctuary :
There are many wildlife sanctuaries in south India. The state of Tamil Nadu is also rich in wildlife. Many places like Calimere Wildlife sanctuary, Kunthakulam bird sanctuary, and Crocodile Bank are famous in Tamil Nadu. Kunthakulam bird sanctuary is situated 33kms south of Tirunelveli in Nanguneri taluk, Tamil Nadu.
Kunthakulam is a small and natural scenic village, which is covered with natural forests and ponds. During the season of January to April every year more than 10 thousand birds from various countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and USA, AUSTRALIA migrate here. It is one of the main tourist spots mostly loaded with large numbers.
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Tourists who are keenly interested in adventure and trekking will enjoy visiting the place. Ariyakulam, a place, which is 13kms east of Tirunelveli, has another bird sanctuary. Tirunelveli is the nearest city to the sanctuary and is well connected by rail and road with the important places within and beyond the state. The approach to the Kunthakulam bird sanctuary is not so difficult as there is a good network of roads where buses and other transport ply very frequently.
Crocodile Bank :
The Crocodile Bank occupies an area of 3.2 hectares and has been established with an aim to protect and conserve the endangered reptiles such as Crocodiles,Alligators, etc. Tourists in large numbers visit the crocodile bank to see a variety of reptiles, all in one place. The Madras Crocodile Bank is the 7th century Pallava seaport town of Mahabalipuram renowned for its rock-cut temples. The main attraction is the crocodile conservation centre, which is the largest croc-breeding site in India.
Located 42-km from Chennai (Madras) is a farm where several species of Indian and African crocodiles and alligators are bred in captivity. This crocodile bank is on the way to Mahabalipuram and is run by Romulve Whittaker.The Bank today has about seven crocodilian species including the three Indian types.
The Indian species include the 3.6 metre long Marsh/Mugger variety which is the most widely distributed species once found in all lowland water systems including the arid State of Rajasthan; the four to five metre long Gharials, the crocodile with the longest jaw which has a pot like snout; and the largest of reptiles, the Saltwater crocodiles, eight metres long and 900 kilogram's in weight, found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Sunderbans in West Bengal and in coastal Orissa. About 5,000 species are kept in their natural surroundings in open pools. They can be viewed from a safe distance.
This bank was started to protect India's dwindling crocodile population and to preserve the Snake catching. This bank has already produced more than 6,000 crocodiles. There is also a snake farm where anti - venom is produced. Several species of Indian and African Crocodiles and Alligators bred in captivity are kept here in open pools. The snake venom extractions are a great attraction to the visitors and it helps the Irulas to maintain their way of life.
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How to Get Crocodile Bank
Air : Chennai (42-km) is the nearest airport with both domestic and international terminus. Chennai is connected with all the major places in India through the numerous domestic flights. International flights operate from various parts of the world to Chennai.
Rail : The nearest railway stations are Chengalpattu (29-km) and Chennai (42-km).
Road : There are buses available from Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai to Mahabalipuram daily. The Crocodile Bank is on the way to Mahabalipuram. Tourists can also hire a taxi from Chennai (Madras) or Mahabalipuram.
Bandipur National Park :
Bandipur National Park lies at the heart of an extensive forest at the confluence of the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills. With its location under the shadow of the Western Ghats, Bandipur is easily one of the finest habitats of the Asian Elephant. Visitors are able to see these Elephants and Gaurs in their natural surroundings. The Bandipur forests used to be the private game reserve of the Maharajas of Mysore. The late Maharaja Jaya Chamaraja Wodeyar, the founding Chairman of the Indian Board of Wildlife was a keen wildlife enthusiast.
Nesting in the foothills of the Nilgiris, the Bandipur National Park was formed by extending the Venugopal Wildlife Park, set up in 1931 by the Mysore Maharajas. It is one of the tiger reserves in the country. Lone Deer wondering in the Forest A popular game resort of the rulers of Mysore, the flora in the forest comprises Teak, Rosewood, Honne, Mathi, Bamboo and Sandal Trees.
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The important animals in the park are Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Chital and Sambar. Birds like the Peafowl, Partridge, Quail, Hornbill and Ibis are also found here. Apart from these, Dhole(wild dog), Sambar, Muntjac or Barking Deer, Giant Squirrel and sometimes Sloth Bear and Nocturnal Porcupine and Blacknaped hare may be seen in the sanctuary.
The park includes rocky hills and valleys drained by rivers Kabini, Nugu, Moyar and numerous small streams. The enchanting Nilgiri Mountains and their cloud-covered peaks form a picturesque backdrop for the park. One of the best managed Tiger Reserve, this beautiful sanctuary located at the foothills of the Western Ghats beckons one and all. Bandipur is also a Project Tiger Reserve, one of 27 such reserves across India for Project Tiger, a scheme launched in 1973 by the Government of India, to save the tiger and its habitat.
Fauna
Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Chital, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Dog, Jackal, Mouse Deer, Four-Horned antelope, common Langur, Porcupine, Otter, Pangolin, Malabar Squirrel, Civet Cat, Leopard, Hare, Jungle Cat, Bonnet Macaque. Land monitor, Crocodile, Tortoise, Python, Cobra, Krait, Viper, Rat Snake, Flying lizard.
Flora
The forests consist predominantly of teak with its main associates species like Rosewood, Honne, Nandi, Mathi, Hunal, Dindal, Bamboo, Bende, Sandal, Mavu and Muthuga.
Avifauna
Peafowl, Grey Jungle Fowl, Partridge, Quail, Paradise Fly-Catcher, Hornbill, Woodpecker, Thrush, Crested Hawk Eagle, Serpent Eagle, Drongo, Cuckoo, Oriole, Minivet, Wagtail,
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How to Get Bandipur National Park
Air : The nearest airport is Bangalore, at a distance of 215 Kms.
Rail : The nearest railhead is Mysore, which is 76 Kms, and connects most of the major junctions of Karnataka.
Road : Bandipur is accessible by Road, either from Mysore or from Ooty (Tamil Nadu). It is at a distance of 215 Kms from Bangalore, 76 Kms from Mysore and about 70 Kms from Ooty. The best way of reaching Bandipur is either by your own transport which is recommended or government buses as no private buses go to Bandipur.
Kumarakom Sanctuary :
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is 16 km away from Kottayam town, central Kerala.The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The Kumarakom bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck, and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live there in flocks fascinates the visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands. An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at Kumarakom. Holiday packages on the houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms, are a new experience at Kumarakom.
An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields, and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while lilies makes the beauty of Kumarakom. A picturesque world of backwaters thatched houseboats, Cormorants, Chinese fishing nets, and swaying palms are ideal for a vacation.
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The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live here in flocks are a fascination for visitors.
The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands. An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at the Taj Garden Retreat, a sprawling old bungalow-turned-resort. The Kumarakom Tourist Village Complex of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation has independent cottages built on stills, set among coconut and banana plantations. Holiday packages on the houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms, are an out-of-this-world experience.
How to Get Bandipur National Park
Air : The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, about 76 kms from Kottayam town.
Rail : The nearest railhead Kottayam, about 16 km.
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