CHULANNUR PEAFOWL SANCTUARY
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CHULANNUR PEAFOWL SANCTUARY
GENERAL INFORMATION
Chulannur
Peafowl Sanctuary consists of 342 hectares of vested forests spread over in the
districts of Thrissur and Palakkad. The area was as declared as a sanctuary in
2007 for ensuring long-term protection of peafowl (Pavo cristatus), our national bird occurring in the area.In
2008 it was renamed as 'Chulannur Peafowl Sanctuary dedicated to the memoiy memory
of Sri.K.K.Neelakandan’ ,the famous ornithologist of Kerala and the author of book
titled ‘Keralathile Pakshikal’, who
hailed from Kavassery near to the sanctuary area.
The forests of sanctuary predominantly of deciduous type with openpatches and
rocky areas offer an ideal habitat for peafowl and support a good population of
peafowl, our national bird. It is the place in Kerala having sucha sizeable
population of peafowls in natural forests offering scope for effective long term
conservation of the species.
HISTORY
The total area of the Sanctuary is 342 ha comprising of vested forests in Mallesamangalam Bit-1 (140 ha) and Chulannur Bit-I (202 ha), which were formerly under the Jurisdiction of Wadakkanchery Range of Thrissur Division and Alathur Range of Nenmara Division respectively. The area is coming in the districts of Thrissur and Palakkad in the Taluks of Thalappilly and Alathur in the villages of Thiruvilwamala. Peringottukurissi, Choolannur and Tholannur. The vested forests of this area, predominantly deciduous with open patches offer an ideal habitat for peafowl and support a good population of peafowl, Previously also portions of this area were managed by Nemmara Division during 1994 to 2003 under various habitat management schemes for Peafowl.
GEOPHYSICAL FEATURES SUCH AS
Location
Chulannur Peafowl Sanctuary is located at about 65 km north east of Thrissur town and about 30 km south west of Palakkad town. The area is coming in the districts of Thrissur and Palakkad in the Taluks of Thalappilly and Alathur in the villages of Thiruvilwamala, Peringottukurissi, Choolannur and Tholannur The Sanctuary is accessible by taking diversion from Alathur located at NH 47 und via Kavassery, Athippatta, Bahadurpally. Chulannur route. It is also accessible via Thiruvilwamala, Naduvathuppara and Choolannur route: Naduvathuppara Chulannur road passes through sanctuary. The main entrance gate. staff quarters, nature awareness camp facilities are located at southern end of the Sanctuary at Chulannur by the side of Naduvathuppara - Athirappilly road at 2.5 km from Naduvathuppara.
Year of Establishment
2007
G.O. (P) No. 24/07 F&WLD dated: 15/05/2007 & G.O.(P) No. 25/2008/F&ELD dated: 10/04/2008
Area
3.42 Sq.km
Altitude and Aspect
The terrain of the Sanctuary is undulating with small hillocks and the altitude range varies between 100 m to 141 m above MSL.
Annual rainfall
The sanctuary receives showers from both northeast and southwest monsoons. Average precipitation in the sanctiary is 1500 mm.
Climate
Though the area is receives the monsoons due to hot winds coming through the Palakkad gap, very dry conditions prevails in the summer months
Major peaks with altitude
The terrain of the Sanctuary is undulating with small hillocks and Mythekkenpara is the highest point with an altitude of 141 m
Major Forest types
The vegetation of the area is deciduous forests with rocky and open patches in some of the area. This open forest is dominated by a carpet (Irul) of Mimosaceae along with Terminalia paniculata . Lannea coromandelieu , Dalbergia sp Stereospermum colais , Cleistanthus collinus Miscellaneous Plantations with species like Acacia auriculiformis, Gliricidia sepium , and cassia siamea are present in a portion of the sanctuary area.
FAUNA
14 species of Mammals have been reported from Chulannur Peafowl Sanctuary area. The list is given below.
1. Indian Palm Squirrel(Funambulus palmarum)
2. Roof Rat( Rattus rattus)
3 Indian Crested Porcupine(Hystrix indica)
4. Indian Hare(Lepus nigricollis)
5 Bare-bellied Hedgehog( Parae chinus)
6, Golden Jackal (Canis aureus)
7. Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii)
8. Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphrodites)
9. Jungle Cat (Felis chaus)
10 Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata)
11. Greater Asiatic Yellow House Bat (Scotophilus heathii)
12. Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus)
13. Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat Cynopterus sphinx
14. Asian Musk Shrew Suncus murinus
In a survey conducted in 2009, 76 species of birds are reported from Chulannur Peafowl Sanctuary area. 67 Peafowl were recorded in the Sanctuary area. Presence of Grey Francolin and Golden Oriole was recorded in the survey
SEASON FOR VISIT
September to January is preferable, but the sanctuary can be visited throughout the year.
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