Periyar National Park is situated in the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala. It spans an area of about 925 square kilometers.
The national park is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The park's vegetation includes evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, and grasslands. It is renowned for its significant elephant population and is also a habitat for other wildlife species such as tigers, leopards, gaurs (Indian bison), sambar deer, wild boars, and various species of birds and reptiles.
The centerpiece of Periyar National Park is the Periyar Lake, a man-made lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam. The lake offers scenic boat cruises where visitors can spot wildlife, especially elephants, along the shoreline.
Periyar National Park is also a designated tiger reserve, aiming to protect the endangered Bengal tigers. Though tiger sightings are relatively rare, the reserve plays a crucial role in their conservation.
Visitors to Periyar National Park can engage in various activities to experience the wildlife and natural beauty of the area. Boat cruises on the Periyar Lake, guided nature walks, trekking, and bamboo rafting are popular activities within the park. There are also opportunities for camping and wildlife photography.
The park promotes eco-tourism initiatives that focus on sustainable practices and conservation. It supports local communities and offers opportunities for visitors to learn about the region's ecology and participate in eco-friendly activities.
Periyar National Park has a Nature Interpretation Center where visitors can learn about the park's ecology, wildlife, and conservation efforts through interactive exhibits and audio-visual presentations.
