Chinnar wildlife sanctuary

1. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, (CWS), is located 18 km north of Marayoor on SH 17 in the
Marayoor and Kanthalloor Panchayats of Devikulam Taluk in the Idukki district of Kerala state
in South India. It is one of twelve Wildlife Sanctuaries among the Protected areas of Kerala. It is
under the jurisdiction of and contiguous with Eravikulam National Park to the south. Indira
Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is to the north and Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary is to the east. It
forms an integral part of the block of protected forests straddling the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border
in the Annamalai Hills. The Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including all of Chinnar
Wildlife Sanctuary, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for
selection as a World Heritage Site.UNESCO, World Heritage sites, Tentative lists, Western
Ghats sub cluster, Niligiris. retrieved 4/20/2007 World Heritage sites, Tentative lists
Geography
CWS is located between latitude 10º15' - 10º21' N and Longitude 77º5' - 77º16' E. Centre for
Environment & Development (2004) Forest Fire Forecasting in Western Ghats, India Chinnar
wildlife sanctuary The Munnar – Udumalpet road SH 17 passes through the Sanctuary for 16 km
and divides it into nearly equal portions. Average annual rainfall is only 500 mm, spread over
about 48 days, because it is in the rain shadow region of the southern Western Ghats. The
altitude ranges from at east end of the Chinnar River to at Kumarikal Malai peak. Other major
peaks in the sanctuary are Nandala Malai , Kottakombu malai (), Vellaikal malai () and
Viriyoottu malai . In contrast, Anamudi peak , located away in the adjacent Eravikulam National
Park, is the highest peak in South India. The Chinnar River and Pambar rivers are the major
perennial water resources in the sanctuary. The Chinnar originates near Kumarikal Malai,
follows the interstate boundary along the northwest edge of the sanctuary for 18 km and becomes
the Amaravati River in Tamil Nadu. The Pambar River originates in the Anaimudi Hills and is
joined by seasonal rivulets and a few perennial streams originating from sholas in the upper
reaches. It traverses the Turner’s Valley in Eravikulam National Park and flows down into the
Sanctuary through the Taliar Valley between Kanthalloor and Marayoor Villages and eastwards
through the sanctuary. It joins the Chinnar River at Koottar. The spectacular Thoovanam water
falls lie deep within the Sanctuary on the Pambar River. This breathtaking cascade is a major
tourist attraction. The Chinnar, Pambar, Kabani and Bhavani are the only rivers of the 44 in
Kerala that flow eastwards.
Settlements and crops
There are 11 tribal settlements inside the Chinnar WLS, each is well demarcated by temporary
stone walls. The main inhabitants are Muthuvas and Pulayars. Cultivation of maize, ragi and
lemongrass is practiced in the settlements. The Mudhuvas carry out small scale ganja cultivation
for their religious purposes.CED Chinnar wildlife sanctuary
Fauna

2. or Manjampatti white bison. Albino bisons are very rare; this photograph is taken from Chinnar
Wildlife Sanctuary.]] 34 species of Mammals live here, including many Panthers and Spotted
deer, 50 -60 Indian Elephants, Gaur, Tigers, Sambar Deer, Common langur, Bonnet Macaque,
Hanuman monkey, threatened Nilgiri Tahr, vulnerable Rusty-spotted Cats and about 240 of the
only vulnerable Grizzled Giant Squirrels in Kerala. 245 species of birds including Yellow-
throated Bulbuls. 52 species of reptiles including 29 species of snakes, Indian Star Tortoise and
the largest population of vulnerable Mugger Crocodiles in Kerala live in the Sanctuary. Most
common of the 42 species of fishes observed in the Chinnar and Pambar rivers are Garra mullya
minnows, River-carp baril, Giant Danio and the endangered hill stream game fish Deccan
Mahseer. 22 amphibian species live in the Sanctuary. There are 156 species of butterflies.
Flora
There are 965 species of flowering plants in the sanctuary Ecoregions of the sanctuary comprise
mostly grassland and wet grasslands vegetation and some South Western Ghats montane rain
forests and high shola at the higher western elevations. South Western Ghats moist deciduous
forestss at mid elevations give way to dry deciduous forests and thorny scrub forests in the lower
dryer eastern edges of the valley. The major Xerophyticspecies in the throny scrub forests are
Acacia arabica, Acacia leucofolia, Acacia concinna, Prosporis juliflora, and Opuntia stricta. The
Marayoor Sandalwood forest is located here.,idukki.com, Chinnar Wildlife
Sanctuarykeralatourism.org, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary Major attractions include: Grizzled
Giant Squirrel: The riverine forests along with Chinnar and Pambar support a large number of
highly endangered Grizzled Giant Squirrels. The sanctuary plays host to the second largest
population of Grizzled Giant Squirrels in the world. Thoovanam Waterfalls: Deep within the
sanctuary, the spectacular Thoovanam waterfall is located. The river Pambar flows eastwards
through the sanctuary and plummets down from a great height on the river Chinnar. Wildlife
Department permit tourists to visit the falls as part of wildlife tourism. Watch Tower: Standing
on the lofty watchtower, one can have a panoramic view of the entire park and the wildlife
beauties, adjoining jungles in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and also the magnificent
mountains far away.
Things to DO
Tourists can enjoy the natural walk along the Chinnar and Pamber river banks. They can also
find the grizzled giant squirrel. This is an amazing place for the trekkers also. They can enjoy the
scenic beauty of the nature by moving towards Thooyanam Waterfalls. Tourists can enjoy
camping here.
Regional Cooperation
Contiguous protected areas like Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Indira Gandhi Wildlife
Sanctuary will benefit from Regional cooperation. Senior officials of the Ministry of
Environment and Forests (India), Principal Chief Conservators of Forests of Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, together with other senior forest officials of these states and the
Union Territory of Pondicherry, met at Thiruvananthapuram on November 3 and 4, 2006 and

3. resolved several mutual issues concerning conservation and protection of forests and wildlife of
the region. This formalization of interstate cooperation on protected areas administration will
improve effectiveness in the areas of daily staff communication including common wireless
frequencies, joint enforcement action, boundary survey and demarcation, management of cross
border resources like Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, Tiger reserves and Wildlife
Sanctuaries, technology, staff and intelligence sharing and coordinated communication with the
Govt. of India. A regular conference of the Forest Ministers and forest officials of the southern
states are held once a year, in rotation in each State.CONFERENCE OF THE FOREST
MINISTERS OF SOUTHERN STATES, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 3 – 4 November 2006
Forest Ministers Resolution
Visitor information
Eco-tourism is promoted and organized jointly by the Forest Department and the Eco
Development Committees (EDCs) of the local tribal communities, the objective is to empower
latter and involve them in the conservation of the forest ecosystem. Trek paths most commonly
used are the Chinnar – Chullipetty and Chinnar – Koottar. Trekking to the Dolmens, the
megalithic burial sites of tribal communities in Alampatti, can be arranged. Daytime sighting of
crocodiles and boars is possible while hiking along the riverside. The trail will also take you to
the enchanting Thoovanam falls and to the watchtower in Jellimalai. The lofty Chinnar Watch
Tower has a panoramic view of the entire sanctuary, and beyond to the jungles of Tamil Nadu to
the east and the majestic hills of the Western Ghats in all directions. The watch tower is
accessible to the public with the permission of the forest department. The watchtower is a 20-
minute walk from the Chinnar check post. A fee of Rs. 15 per person is collected at the tower. A
Forest guard and tourist guide accompanies visitors. The guide charges Rs. 100 a
day.RAO,SUBHA J., The Hindu, Dec 03, 2005 Tower with a view Accommodations are
available in three suites at the Forest guesthouse for Rs. 400 per room without food. Treetop ,
arranged by the Forest Department, cost Rs. 1,000 for an overnight stay for two. Camping
overnight in tribal huts at Vasyappara gives opportunities to sight elephants, peacocks, langur,
deer and the giant squirrel. Camping at the Vasyappara huts cost Rs. 2,000 (including dinner,
night stay and breakfast). The Forest Department also arranges accommodation at log houses in
Churlipatti. Dormitory facilities are also available at Chinnar. However visitors must be warned
that there are no means of buying anything to eat or drink at Chinnar except the odd pack of milk
biscuits and a few bottles of water. (Dec 23, 2006) The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, the Hindu,
retrieved 7/21/2007 sanctuary spotlight Contact: The Wildlife Warden, Munnar division,
Munnar-685612. Ph: 04865-231587; Email: emppmunnar@sify.com or: The Wildlife Warden,
Idukki Wildlife Division, Idukki, Vellapara, Painavu P.O, Kerala-686 603, phone: 0486-232271
or: The Assistant Wildlife Warden, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Marayoor P.O. via, Munnar,
Idukki District, Kerala.