Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique protected area located in the rain shadow region in the eastern slope of Western Ghats. The sanctuary is located 18 kilometers north of Marayoor on SH 17 in the Marayoor and Kanthalloor panchayats of Devikulam taluk in the Idukki district of Kerala. It is one of twelve wildlife sanctuaries among the protected areas of Kerala.The wildlife sanctuary is spread over 90 square kilometers forest.

A unique thorny scrub forest with xerophytes species, Chinnar is the habitat for many endangered species of animals and birds. Chinnar sanctuary has 34 species of mammals, 245 species of birds, 52 species of reptiles including 29 species of snakes and 1000 species of flowering plants. You can sight endangered species of Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India, about 240 of the only vulnerable grizzled giant squirrels in Kerala. Located in the rain shadow area of the Western Ghats, unlike other sanctuaries in Kerala, Chinnar gets only less than two months of rain every year.

The sanctuary is diverse in eco systems and rich in ethnic cultural heritage. It is a well known repository of medicinal plants and supports a healthy population of grizzled giant squirrel, star tortoise, tufted grey langur, gaur, spotted deer, slender loris, wild elephant, crocodile, tiger, leopard and many a birds, insects and plants.

The Chinnar and Pambar rivers are the major perennial water resources in the sanctuary. The Chinnar originates near Kumarikal Malai, follows the interstate boundary along the northwest edge of the sanctuary for 18 km and becomes the Amaravati River in Tamil Nadu. The Pambar River originates in the Anaimudi Hills and is joined by seasonal rivulets and a few perennial streams originating from sholas in the upper reaches. It traverses the Turner’s Valley in Eravikulam National Park and flows down into the sanctuary through the Taliar Valley between Kanthalloor and Marayoor villages and eastwards through the sanctuary. It joins the Chinnar River at Koottar. The Thoovanam waterfalls lie deep within the sanctuary on the Pambar River. 

The dense Sandalwood forest nearby is an added attraction at Chinnar. This is also an ideal place for watching herds of gaur and elephants amble past. Dry deciduous forests, high sholas and some grasslands add to the diversity of the sanctuary.There are 11 tribal settlements inside the Chinnar wildlife sanctuary.

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