A handful of tiger reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are prevalent in every nook of South India. Periyar Tiger Reserve is an important one, widely acclaimed for its rich treasure of wild flora and fauna. It is located in Kerala abounded by its plenty.

The Periyar Tiger Reserve is ideal for watching the Asian Elephant in close proximity. The Periyar Tiger Reserve has a varied topography. The southern edges of the Western Ghats, stretches more than 777 sq km, the central part constituting an area of 350 sq kms. Its main attraction is the beautiful Periyar Lake that, despite immersing into some key forest areas, is an ideal solace for the wildlife. Numerous dams were built in the year 1895 as a part of an irrigation project for the supply of water to the dry regions in the east.

Much later, the project was later promoted into a complete hydroelectric plant, claiming minimal harm to the wild habitat. After few years of the completion of the project, a huge tract was acclaimed as a reserved forest. In the 1930s, the lake and the nearby forests were acknowledged as a sanctuary. Ultimately, in the year 1977, Periyar Tiger Reserve became an integral part of Project Tiger. The hills and valleys of Periyar are covered with mixed deciduous forests, nicely intercepted by the evergreen trees and scrublands. The lake is set ashore generally by thick tall forests thus covering about 50 sq km when the water is at the maximum level. Grass canopy of trees can be found amidst winter fogs as they protrude of the deep waters, often crested by some of the huge water birds.

Amongst the tourists, the Periyar Tiger Reserve has a special attraction. The peak season to make a visit to the park is during the months of October to April. The flocks of gigantic elephants can easily be seen. Once in a while, a lone mammal emerges from the high curtains of forest from time to time. To make their journey comfortable, slow moving boats are ideal for these wild creatures. Once in a blue moon, one can catch hold of Gaur near the banks of rivers and ponds. Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, too, throng the banks of water bodies. Hordes of dogs can set wild in the shady nook of Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Only a handful of tourists are lucky enough to glimpse a tiger coming out from his forest abode to the open ground just to quench thirst from water bodies. Also mammals like Asian Elephant,Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog (Dhole), Gaur (Indian Bison), Nilgiri Langur, Lion-tailed Macaque , Sambar, Barking Deer, Small Indian Civet, Striped-necked Mongoose, Indian Giant Squirrel, Large Brown Flying Squirrel, Slender Loris, Common Otter are worth mentioning.

The park is enriched with the chirping of beautiful birds. Giant squirrels and the Nilgiri Langur are amongst them, often found taking rest in the shoddy abodes of forests. There are near about two hundred and eighty species of birds. One can also catch sight of the woodland birds. Although they remain hidden their voices are clearly audile through out the region. Cormorants, darters, storks, kingfishers and other water birds are rampantly found near the lakes. While enjoying brisk walking paths around Thekkady the scenery of the dense forests and closer views of the woodland birds can easily admire one. Woodland birds include Grey Junglefowl, Painted Bush Quail, Red Spurfowl, Great-eared Nightjar, Sri Lanka Frogrnouth, Great Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, `White-bellied` Woodpecker, Malabar Parakeet, Dollarbird, Malabar Trogon, White-bellied Treepie, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Wynaad Laughingthrush etc.

One can also experience an eerie feeling to hear the cry of bird raptors like Qsprey, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Crested Goshawk, Black Baza, Besra, Brown Fish Owl, Brown Hawk Owl

There are excess of troubles and tribulations, like the extensive spice plantations, livestock grazing and forest fires, nicely handled by the park management at Periyar Tiger Reserve. The reserve is a very famous tourist destination, where a quarter of a million tourists on an average throng the park each year. The Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple in the western part of the reserve is a major attraction here.