Parambikulam: Song of the River Chalakkudy

Parambikulam Sanctuary - Overview

Kerala, one of India’s smallest states gets its eternal green hue from being  flanked on its eastern border by the Western Ghats (which blocks the dry winds breezing in from the plateau of eastern India) and the Arabian sea on its western border. The Western Ghats continuing over 1600 km is a main watershed area in the Indian peninsula. All the major rivers of Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery arise in it to flow into the Bay of Bengal. On the other side, too, rivers flow from it to immerse themselves in the Arabian Sea.

4 streams, namely, Parambikulam, Kunarkutty, Sholayar and Karappara flow as one to become river Chalakkudy. Parambikulam and Sholayar arise in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district while the rest have their source in Kerala’s Palakkad district

Along this spectacular hill range soaring from 900 m to even beyond 2000 m above sea level, there is just one place at which its flowing line breaks, this is the Palaghat Gap where lies Kerala. Kerala is divided into South and North of the Palaghat gap. Parambikulam is located in the southern region of Palaghat (Palakkad)

The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is watered by the Chalakkudy river’s streams. The river’s genesis is at an altitude of 1250 m above msl and plunges down to continue for 130 km being the watering hole for 1404 sq km in Kerala and 300 sq km in Tamil Nadu. Chalakkudy merges with the Periyar river at Elanthikara

Kerala’s third largest sanctuary, the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is flanked by the natural forests of Chalakkudy and Vazhanchal continuing till Peechi. On another side a narrow grassland stretch connects it to Anaimalai sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Eravikulam National Park, the only one of its kind in the area

Getting to Parambikulam

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary- Enroute

• Tamil Nadu Forest Department’s Sethumadai Checkpost to enter Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park (958 sq.km)

• Cross the Sungam tribal colony to Annapady Checkpost of the Kerala Forest Department to pay entry and vehicle fees

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary - Annapady Check Post

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary- Forest Information Centre

•  Another 2 km to Annapady Forest Information Centre to hire the guide and explore the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary

  
Entry into Parambikulam

Time – 7 am to 4 pm

Private vehicles must park in the designated parking lot

Safari vehicles are provided with each van named Hornbill, Panther etc

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary-Safari Vehicle

Contact

Call : 04253 – 245025/ 245005

Mobile : 09442201690

Email: infoatecocare@gmail.com