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Kerala is
among the healthiest, most literate and longest lived regions of third
world. It is located in southern part of India with the area of around
15,000 sq miles.
With Arabian
Sea in west Kerala is gifted with 360 miles long coastline but the
width of the land is not more than 80 miles across the state. If we try
to divide Kerala geographically, it has three major distinct regions;
coastal plains of west, eastern mountainous terrain and central
midlands.
Diversity
of species
With around
125-135 rainy days a year 24% area of Kerala is covered by forests.
There is a huge range of fauna available in the forests among them
there are more than 100 species of mammals.
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Not only this, 89
types of amphibians, 476 types of birds, 200 types of fishes and around
170 types of reptiles are also available in these green lush forests.
Eastern forests of Kerala are home for Bengal Tiger but there are many
more animals including Asian Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr, Giant Squirrel,
Leopard and Palm Civet.
Peafowl, Great
Hornbill, Indian Cormorant, Indian Hornbill of grey color and Jungle
Myna are some of the few species of birds which reside there. But they
are in danger with habitat destruction activities. Therefore to protect
them and offer them their home back government has set up several
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
Eravikulam
National Park
Eravikulam National
Park is about 150 kms away from Cochin airport. With almost 450 cm
rainfall per year the park is considered as wet region and offers Shola
forest with rolling grasslands. The park is a must visit place for
tourists as it offers various types of fauna including Nilgiri Tahr,
Tigers, Wild dog, Sloth Bear, Civet cats, Panther and Nilgiri langur.
Idukki
Wildlife Sanctuary
With the area of 77
sq kms the sanctuary is only 4kms from Kumily. It was established as
sanctuary in 1976 to protect the diverse wild life including
Kingfisher, Hornbill, Woodpecker, Leopard tiger, Python, Cobra and Wild
pig.
Chinnar
Wildlife Sanctuary
With only 10cm
rainfall annualy the sanctuary is located in rain shadow of Western
Ghats and offers a great show of wild life to the tourists. The area of
the sanctuary is aroud 90 sq miles and it is attached with Marayoor
sandal forest and Thoovanam waterfalls to increase the interest of
visitors. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a must visit place to see
Hanuman langur and Grizzled Squirrel.
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