Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

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Contents 1 Wildlife 2 Pambar River 3 Thoovanam Waterfalls 4 Chinnar Watchtower 5 Regional Cooperation 6 References

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary Chinnar WS Chinnar WS (India)
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Location:	Idukki District
Nearest city:	Marayoor
Coordinates:	10°18′0″N, 77°16′0″E
Area:	90.44 km²
Established:	1984
Governing body:	Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Kerala

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located 18 km north of Marayoor in Kerala in South India. It is contiguous with Eravikulam National Park to the south, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary to the northwest and Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary to the east. It is one of twelve Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala.^[1]
Location is between Latitude 10º15‘ - 10º21’ N and Longitude 77º15’ - 77º17 E. Altitude varies from 500 m to 2400 m. Major Peaks in the Sanctuary are Kottakombu malai (2144 m), Vellaikal malai (1863 m) and Viriyoottu malai (1845m). Average annual rainfall is only 100 mm because it is in the rain shadow region of the southern Western Ghats. The forest types comprise thorny scrub forests, dry deciduous forest, high sholas and wet grasslands.^[2]

[edit] Wildlife

Many species of Mammals including Indian Elephant, Gaur, Panther, Spotted deer, Sambar, Common langur, Bonnet Macaque, Hanuman monkey, rare Nilgiri Tahr, White Bison and Grizzled Giant Squirrel. Many species of birds and reptiles including the largest population of Mugger Crocodiles in Kerala, and many species of amphibians and fishes live in the Sanctuary. The Marayoor Sandalwood forest is located here.^[3][4]

[edit] Pambar River

The Pambar, Kabani and Bhavani are the only rivers of the 44 in Kerala that flow eastwards. The Pambar River originates in the Anaimudi Hills and flows between Kanthalloor and Marayoor Villages, eastwards through the sanctuary, is joined by smaller tributaries, becomes the Amaravati River in Tamil Nadu, reaches the Amaravathi Reservoir and Dam and eventually joins the Cauvery River near Karur.

[edit] Thoovanam Waterfalls

The spectacular Thoovanam water falls lie deep within the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary on the Pambar River , locally called the Chinnar River. This breathtaking cascade is a major tourist attraction.

[edit] Chinnar Watchtower

This lofty watch tower has a panoramic view of the entire park, and beyond to the jungles of Tamil Nadu to the east and the majestic hills of the Western Ghats in all directions. The watch tower is accessible to the public with the permission of the forest department. The watchtower is a 20-minute walk from the Chinnar check post. A fee of Rs. 15 per person is collected at the tower. A Forest guard and tourist guide accompanies visitors. The guide charges Rs. 100 a day.^[5]

[edit] Regional Cooperation

Contiguous protected areas like Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary will benefit from Regional cooperation. Senior officials of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (India), Principal Chief Conservators of Forests of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, together with other senior forest officials of these states and the Union Territory of Pondicherry, met at Thiruvananthapuram on November 3 and 4, 2006 and resolved several mutual issues concerning conservation and protection of forests and wildlife of the region.
This formalization of interstate cooperation on protected areas administration will improve effectiveness in the areas of daily staff communication including common wireless frequencies, joint enforcement action, boundary survey and demarcation, management of cross border resources like Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, Tiger reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries, technology, staff and intelligence sharing and coordinated communication with the Govt. of India. A regular conference of the Forest Ministers and forest officials of the southern states will now be held once a year, in rotation in each State. The next meeting will be held at Bangalore in 2007.^[6].

[edit] References