The Scents of Spice, Tea and Sandalwood and the
Roar of a Waterfall...you are at Chinnar!
Located in Devikulam, Idukki district, Chinnar falls in the rainshadow
region of the Western Ghats. Chinnar is watered by the perennial rivers of Chinnar
and Pambar, two of the only 4 rivers in Kerala that flow eastwards. Nearby is central Kerala’s Elappara’s Tea Plantations at Semni and
Haileyburia, Cardamom hills of Peermade, Nutmeg,cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla
plantations at Haileyburia.
There’s also an entire Koodakavu sandalwood forest of Marayur
where you can purchase sandalwood works of art created at the factory of the
Forest Department and from where you can spot herds of bison. There’s a
children’s park in the shade of a banyan tree.The sandalwood forest is also the
site of Ezhutu Guha, rock paintings from ancient times.
On the way you can see ancient caves, rock art and shelters in Marayur and
the ancient burial sites called dolmens from the Stone Age and Iron Age can
still be seen on the banks of the river Pambar near an old Shiva Temple.
At places like Kovilkadu are 10 paintings etched on rocks at the south west
side overlooking river Pambar.
Travelling to Chinnar from Karimuthi, a peacock may cross your path, an
elephant lumber by and deer race away, as the road from Munnar through
Udumalpetta cuts right through the Chinnar Sanctuary which skirts
Eravikulum Sanctuary.
The remarkable feature of this sanctuary is that unlike others, there are 11
tribal settlements within it in sanctioned sections where they grow their crops
like maize and lemongrass and even the occasional ganja crop for religious
purposes. There’s also an ancient rock painting of a deer and a man at Manala
within the sanctuary area.
Moving from human settlements to the flora and fauna…
What You Glimpse in 90 sq.km of the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
· The Green Life:
- Forest that moves dry thorn scrub to
dry deciduous at lower heights to wet deciduous at elevated heights
- Grassland meadows
- 1000 species of flowering plants like Acacia Arabica - Karivelam,
Elaeocarpus recurvatus - Bhadraksham, Strobhilanthus kuntianus (Neelakurinji)
- Medicinal garden
- Rare Aibizia Lathamii tree
· The Blue Life:
Thoovanam Falls which is the river Pambar diving into the river Chinnar
right in the heart of the sanctuary.
· The Winged Life:: 225 bird species.
· The Landlife:
- Reptiles like mugger croc
- Endangered Grizzled Giant Squirrel
- Rare White Bison
- Elephant
- Tiger
- Langur
- Sambar deer
- Spotted deer
- Nilgiri Thar
- Vipers
- Krauts
- Cobras
What You Can Do:
- Treks to the river and to Alampatti’s ancient burial sites - dolmens
- Nature Trail to the Chinnar
Watch Tower
that offers a splendid view of neighbouring Tamil Nadu’s jungles and the
Western Ghat’s rolling hills
- Trek and Camp at Vasyappar
- Boating
Entry Fees per day:
- Indians: Adults – Rs.10/- Children – Rs.5/-
- Foreigners: Adults-Rs. 100/-
- Still Camera – Rs.25/- Video Cameras – Rs.150/-
- Light Vehicles – Rs.50/-
When to Go to Chinnar: All months except monsoon months from October to
December.
How to Reach:
- Via cities like Kochi and Coimbatore, latter is
closer to Chinnar
- Kottayam Railway Station is closer than Ernakulum Station, Kochi but the closest are
Aluva Railway Station in Kerala and Pollachi in Tamil Nadu which is barely 60km
away
- Marayur town
Contact Information:
Ecodevelopment Committee Office
Chinnar Check Post
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Marayur P.O. - 685620
·
Munnar
is closest – 60 km away
Contact:
Forest Information Centre
Wildlife Warden’s Office
Munnar P.O. – 685612
Call: 04865-231587
Email:roywlw@chinnar.org
Accommodations:
- Machans at Koottar, Champakkad,
Karakkad
-
Tree house Call: 04865-231587 / Email:roywlw@chinnar.org
- -
High-end Heritage Plantation Bungalows run as hotels by groups like
Welcom @Rs.5000-Rs.7000 for single occupancy deluxe/Suite
