IDUKKI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

 IDUKKI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

INTRODUCTION

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Idukki district of Kerala. The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located near the catchment region of Idukki Dam, is home to a diverse range of plants and animals. The fauna in the area has suffered severe harm as a result of the removal of hectares of rainforest for the Idukki hydropower project. The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary spans the taluks of Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola. In accordance with a government order dated 9 February 1976 with the number GO.7898/FM3/76/AD, the area was designated as a wildlife sanctuary.

HISTORY

About 27 square kilometers of forest in the then-Kottayam division were clear-cut for the construction of the Idukki Hydroelectric Project in the 1960s. A portion of the forest region was isolated by the dam's surrounding reservoir after Idukki Dam's commission in 1976. On September 2, 1976, this region was designated as a wildlife sanctuary with the goal of conserving and protecting its biodiversity.

GEOPHYSICAL FEATURES

The location is at 76° 55' 9" East longitude and 9° 53' 30" North latitude, and is part of the Thodupuzha and Peerumaedu Taluk of the Idukki District. In general, the weather is chilly and humid, with comparatively heavy rains. except from February through April, when it's the hottest, Large Peaks Venjur medu-1272 m. Chillellu Medu (1243 m).

FAUNA AND FLORA

The following tree species can be found in the Idukki wildlife sanctuary: teak, Indian rosewood, vella maruthu (Terminalia paniculata), large-flowered bay tree, wild jack (Artocarpus hirsutus), malampunna (Calophyllum polyanthum), Vernonia arborea, and karuva (Cinnamomum verum).

Asian elephants, deer species including Sambar deer, Muntjac, and Chevrotain, monkeys like Bonnet macaque and Nilgiri langur, squirrels like Indian giant squirrels, wild dogs, wild boars, jungle cats, dholes, and jackals are among the common creatures found in the sanctuary. Numerous domestic animals, including bulls, cows, and buffaloes, also reside in the sanctuary. When the Idukki Dam was built in 1976, they were confined to the wildlife reserve. Since there are fewer predator species in this area, it is claimed that the increased cattle threatens the wildlife protected by the Idukki Wildlife (Conservation) Act, 1972, by reducing the amount of grass. 

The Greater Indian Hornbill, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Malabar Trogon, Black Bulbul, Junglefowl, Laughingthrushes, Kingfisher, and Peafowl are among the birds that call the wildlife sanctuary home. Many unusual birds and butterflies were discovered during the 2017 Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary bird-butterfly survey. The survey was carried out by the Kerala Forest Department in conjunction with a group of bird and wildlife enthusiasts called Warblers and Waders. In the survey, 107 species of butterflies and 163 species of birds were discovered. 

A survey carried out in the butterfly in 2019 revealed an increase in the variety of butterfly species. The Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department and the Travancore Natural History Society conducted the survey on ants, birds, butterflies, and tortoises. Only 76 butterfly species were included in the management plan created ten years ago; the 2019 survey found 182 species.  The survey discovered butterflies such as the Malabar tree nymph, the Painted Lady, the Golden tree flitter, the Southern Birdwing, the largest butterfly in India, the Papilio buddha, the state butterfly of Kerala, the Common fivering, the Common bush hopper, the Yamfly, and the Common Nawab.

FOREST TYPES 

(a) Tropical Evergreen Forest 15%

(b) Semi Evergreen Forest -22%

(c) Moist deciduous forest - 43%

(d) Hill shola - 1%

(e) Grass land -19%

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The perfect time to visit the Idukki wildlife sanctuary is during the months of December to April.

ACCESSIBILITY

By Road: The sanctuary has excellent overland connections to important cities in Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram is about 220 miles and Cochin is about 120 km away from the sanctuary. These two cities are accessible to travelers, who can then hire private vehicles to get to the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. 

By Train: The closest train station to the wildlife reserve is Kottayam. To get to Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, use local transportation after arriving at Kottayam Railway Station. 

By Air: The closest airports to the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary are Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Kochi International Airport. The closest city by air to the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is Coimbatore in the Tamil Nadu state.

CONTACT  DETAILS

The Wildlife Warden

Idukki Wildlife Division

Painavu P.O. Idukki - 685603

Phone: 0486 2232271

E-mail: ww-idukki@forest.kerala.gov.in

The Asst. Wildlife Warden

Vellapara, Painavu P.O, Idukki

Phone : 04862 233041

E-mail: ro-idukki@forest.kerala.gov.in