Periyar Sanctuary

Falling in the High range of Idukki, the tract surrounds the Periyar lake, which was created in 1899 building a dam across the river. The lake is 26 sq.km. The forest around the lake were declared as Reserved Forests in 1899. The enlightened Maharaja of Travancore, realizing the significance of conservation, appointed Mr. S. C. H. Robinson as the first Game Warden. Based on his recommendations the forests around the lake were turned into a Sanctuary in 1934, the Nellikkampatti Sanctuary. The Sanctuary, assumed a new identity in 1950 and has been managed by a separate game department until it was merged with the Forest Department in 1966. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978 under the Project Tiger scheme. The Reserve is 777 sq.km in extent and is a part of a chunk of forests contiguous with Ranni extending upto Achenkoil. The area receives an average rainfall of 2,500 mm. Noted for its geomorphology, Wild life and scenic beauty, Periyar Tiger Reserve attracts travellers from all over the world.

It also harbours an aquatic ecosystem within itself. Numerous small islets in the large, 50 year old artificial lake remind us of the intricate, inherent interrelationship among the terrestrial, aquatic and subterranean life forms. This is the only Sanctuary in India where the Elephant can be observed and photographed at close quarters from the safety of a boat. Topography and Vegetation The undulating hilly terrain of the Reserve has the evergreen, semievergreen and moist deciduous forests. The upper slopes have extensive stretches of Savannah grasslands. Elevation ranges from 900 to 2014 m (at Vellimalai).

KUMILY

As such an insignificant little town, Kumily's importance is due to its proximity to the Boat Landing of the Periyar Tiger Reserve or Thekkady, and to its being a border town, with Tamil Nadu just a call away. Of late, major hotel groups are zeroing in on Kumily to capitalize on the tourist boom. Of the tourists of various hues, those obsessed with the diversity of flora and fauna of the Periyar Reserve is a growing and dedicated group.

There are the spice shops- every third shop is one- which is likely to confer on the town the sobriquet, 'Spice Town'. Apart from the handful of spices grown in Idukki district, the traders also have in their stocks an assortment from all parts of the nation.

Kumily is the major gateway to Tamil Nadu for Idukki, Kottayam and Alleppy districts.

The Tamil Cardamom plantation in Idukki and the large population of Tamilian laborers makes far busy traffic indeed between Kumily and Cumbum in Tamil Nadu.

NEDUMKANDAM

A longish town extending along the 2 km stretch of road somewhat midway between Kumily and Munnar. A town with a history of less than four decades. It is a testimony to the high rate of migration from the low lands of Kerala in this time span.

Pepper and cardamom are the mainstays of the economy. Pepper cultivation is predominantly a Malayalee activity. Holdings are small, generally ranging from 10 cents to 5 acres and a couple of cows for a family are a rule. In the dawn hours, riders with pails of milk can be seen descending to the town from their boards in the hills around Nedumkandam. The milk, collected by societies and carted off to Kochi, Kottayam etc has sustained many a family in the lean years after their pepper vines were decimated by the wilt disease. Cardamom farms are larger and about half of the owners are Tamilians whose parents ascended the ghats from Cumbam, Bodinaikanur areas of Tamil Nadu to cultivate the forest soils of the Cardamom Hill Reserve areas.

CLIMATE & SEASON

Plantations: Tea, Cardamom, Pepper and Coffee plantations can be seen in the surrounding places of the Periyar wildlife sanctuary.

Location: 90 15' and 90 40' north latitude, 76' 55' and 77' 25' East longitude, Altitude: Varying from 900 m, To 1800 m.
Climate: Varying from 300 C as maximum and 15.50 as minimum.
Season: August to May, June to August - Rainy Rest cool and pleasant.
Spices: Twelve varieties of spices can be seen in the neighboring villages. Some of them are: Pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Vanilla, Ginger, Turmeric, Nutmeg, Cumin Seed, Garlic. The tourists can buy the spices from the shops with a minimum price from this spot.