Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary reserves its own charm for the tourists. Covered with a thick growth of dense forest, it is a haven for wildlife and rare avian species. Ensconced between the Anamalai ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala, with several rivers flowing in the area, Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary is a paradise for wildlife lovers and nature gazers.Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary can be reached from the Coimbatore airport, which is about 55 km from the sanctuary. If you travel by train, the nearest railway station is Palakkad that is 125 kms from the sanctuary.
As you walk through the thick forests of bamboo strands, teak, rosewood and sandalwood, you will find the area is marshy, with scattered patches of grasslands. Parambikulam was once famous for its teak wood forest, but little remains of its past glory except the Kannimari teak tree, which is the largest in Asia.
Reserve forest
Besides the teak plantations at the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary, as you venture into the thick forest under able guides, you may be lucky to spot sloth bears, sambhars, chitals, tigers, panthers, elephants and crocodiles. Cobras, kraits, vipers, macaques, darters, turtles, cormorants and black eagles are also found here. But the largest population of wildlife that graces the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary is gaurs or bison.
Though the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary is open throughout the year, it is best to avoid the monsoons as during these months, from June to August, torrents of rain make the hillsides unstable. The forest department has suitable provisions for accommodation at the forest rest houses at Thoonakkadavu, Thellikkal and Elathode. You can avail of the tree house in the reserved forest area in Thoonakkadavu, which has to be booked in advance. The two watch towers - one at Anappadi, 8km from Thunakadavu, and another at Zungam, 5km from Thunakadavu, are ideal locations to spot the wildlife through powerful binoculars.
