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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Wildlife 
