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Nurtured by the benign hands of the Western Ghats and its salubrious climate is the green paradise of Kerala - Wayanad. The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1973, is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere. It is located 105 km northeast of Kozhikode and is 18 km east of Sulthan Bathery on the Mysore road. The second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is rich in biodiversity. The sanctuary was set up with an objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region with due consideration to the general life style of tribals and others whose lives are dependent on the forest.
This sanctuary occupies an area of almost 500sq km and is divided into two separate parts known as the Upper Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in the north and Lower Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in the south. The in-between space, which was originally a forest area, is now allocated to agriculture.
A wide range of mammals, birds and other fauna forms is present in the sanctuary. Mammals include elephant, tiger, panther, jungle cat, civet cat, monkeys, wild dog, bison, deer, and bear. More than 200 species of birds, including peacock, babbler, cuckoo, owl, woodpecker and jungle fowl, 45 species of reptiles like monitor lizard and a variety of snakes and tortoises include the residents here.
Special packages like Tiger Trail and Wayanadian Stay, for visitors from far and near, are arranged by the sanctuary management. Huts made of mud, bamboo and grass, arranged as part of the Wayanadian Stay, offer a different ethnic experience for the visitors. With all the government rest houses, private lodges and hotels, accommodation will not be a problem for the tourists.
Except for the monsoon season (June-July) the sanctuary is open for the rest of the year. The ideal time to visit is from November to March.
Contact:
The Wildlife Warden
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Sulthan Bathery
Wayanad
Ph: +91 4932 20454
Email: koz_wydwls@sancharnet.in
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, about 105 km.
Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport, about 140 km.
