Wildlife

Kerala has about 30% of its land cover accounted by forests. The forests of Kerala lie on the Western slope of the Western Ghats at different altitudes rising up to 2,694 metres. The steep and often abrupt topography creates great special variations in climate and soil, resulting in high levels of biodiversity and local endemism.

The diverse physical environment of Kerala provides a diversity of habitat, each supporting an assemblage of life forms with distinct biological values. The state possesses extensive areas of Tropical Rain Forests (1937 sq. km.), Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests (1,543 sq. km.) and Tropical . Moist-deciduous Forests (4,100 sq.km.) and they are repositories of abundant and valuable biodiversity.

The forests of Kerala are famous for elephants and tigers. Also there are a lot of animals are there like sambar, deer and wild buffalos. Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary, Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park are the major Wild Life centers. Kumarakom, Thattekad, Myladumpara are the main Bird watching centers.

The major tourist activities that can be undertaken in the wild life parks are wild life tours. One can really feel the smell of an Elephant in these tours. Elephant rides, staying at jungle lodges, tree houses, fishing camps etc. are other facilities available there. Guides are available in the Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary for treks in the forest. The Parambikulam forest authorities organize wild life tours in the park.

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