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Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Place

:

Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala

Nearest town

:

Vithura

Best time to visit

:

January to March

Significance

:

A big attraction to wildlife enthusiasts and ornithologists.

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Located 50 kms north east of Thiruvananthapuram city in Nedumangad Taluk, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is every wildlife enthusiast's destination. Formerly a part of the Paruthippally range of the Thiruvananthapuram Territorial Division, it was declared in 1983 as a sanctuary because of it's ecological, faunal and floral importance.

Comprising the Palode Reserve (24 sq kms) and Kotoor Reserve (29 sq kms) , the sanctuary constitutes the catchments of Peppara dam constructed across the Karamana river. The dam was commissioned during 1983 to augment the drinking water supply to Thiruvananthapuram city and suburban areas. The sanctuary also houses 13 tribal settlements, among which eleven are in Athirumala section and the two are in Thodayar section.

Trekking can be done in this Sanctuary and the Forest Department conducts a trekking package daily. Trekking to forest area – Bonafalls, Vazahuvanthole water falls,Kalarkad waterfalls, visit to settlement areas etc. Fee: 35 Rs/per person.

Flora

The rugged terrain of Peppara is covered with West coast tropical evergreen, Southern Hilltop Tropical Vegetation found at higher altitudes, West coastal Semi-green at elevation of 100-150m, Southern Moist Mixed Deciduous comprising 60% of the vegetation, Myristica swamp forest, sub-montane hill valley swamp forest etc. The main flora being Terminalia paniculta, T. bellerica, Pterocarpus marsupium, Palaquium ellipticum, Mesua ferrea, Hopea parviflora, Bombax ceiba, Syzyguium cummini, Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Albizzia procera, Alstonia scholaris, etc.

Fauna

Peppara sanctuary is a home to a wide range of 43 species of mammals, 233 sp. of birds, 46 species of reptiles, 13 species of amphibians and 27 species of fishes. Some major animal species found are Lion tailed Macaque, Barking Deer, Sambar deer, Mouse Deer, Malabar Squirrel, Barking deer, Elephants, Wild dogs, Wild Boar, Leopards, Panthers, Nilgiri Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Gaur etc. Among the birds, most common are Cormorants, Egrets, Darters and Pied kingfisher. Reptilian fauna includes King Cobra, Pythons, Turtle and also a variety of Moths and Butterflies.







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