Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the north-east and Mudimalai of Tamilnadu on the south-east. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reservem, Which has been established with the specific objective of conservating the biological heritage of the region. Interestingly, it was from here that Pazhassi Raja fought valiantly against the British.

Consisting entirely of notified reserve, the sanctuary is very rich in fauna and flora. The management of the sanctuary lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration to the general lifestyle of the Tribals and others who live on the frings of the forest.

Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the nilgiri biosphere reserve, which has been established with the chief objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region. The sanctuary has excellent moist deciduous teak forests and marshes dominated by bamboo and other grasses.

These forests are also said to be amongst the most extensively forested belts in the Indian Peninsula.The Wild Population - Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Elephants, Tigers, Panthers, Jungle Cats, Civet Cats, Monkeys, Wild Dogs, Bisons, Deer, Bears, Racquet-tailed Drongo, Barbet. Monitor lizards and a variety of snakes are seen.

The sanctuary is also rich in avian life and Peacocks, Babblers, Cuckoos, Owls, Woodpeckers, Jungle Fowls are a few of the various types of birds seen here. The park in rich in flora and has Teak, Maruthu, Karimaruthi, Rosewood, Venteak, Vengal, Chadachi, Mazhukanjirarn, Bamboo etc. grow in the moist deciduous forest.Veteria indica, Lager stroemia, Lanceolata, Terminalia paniculata etc. are common in the semi evergreen patches.

Topography (Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary): Gently undulating with occasional hillocks, the highest peak is Karottimala (1158m).

Climate (Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary): The tract receives fairly reasonable amount of rain, most of which is received during June to August. March, April and May are warm.

Forest Types (Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary): Most of the forests are of the south Indian moist deciduous type. There are, however, a few patches of west coast semi evergreen forests. About 110 sq.kms of the sanctuary is under plantations of teak, eucalyptus. And grevelia.

Flora in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: In the moist deciduous forest, maruthi, karimaruthi, rosewood, venteak, vengal, chadachi, mazhukanjiram, bamboo etc grow. In the semi-evergreen patches Veteria indica. Lagerstroemia, Lanceolata, Termianalia paniculata etc are common.

Administration (Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary): The sanctuary comes under the Wayanand Wildlife Division with head quarters at Sultan Bathery.

Wildlife Tourism (Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary): Good roads connect the sanctuary with Kozhikode, Mysore and Ootty. They are also connected by rail and are within 110 kms from the sanctuary. The nearest airport is Kozhikode. Visitors can halt at Sultan Bathery or Mananthavadi and visit the sanctuary Government rest houses and private lodges offer accommodation.