Periyar Tiger Reserve

1. Periyar Tiger Reserve has initiated Phase III of the All India Tiger Estimation 2025-26, aimed at assessing the national tiger population.
2. Location: Named after the Periyar River, it is located in the Idukki district of Kerala. It lies close to Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, situated in Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the Western Ghats.
3. Key Geographical Features
   1. Periyar Lake: Artificial lake formed in 1895 which was created by constructing a dam across the Periyar River.
   2. Terrain: Hilly and undulating landscape with maximum altitude = 2016 m (highest peak = Kottamala)
   3. Rivers and Dams: Periyar & Pamba River with Mullaperiyar Dam located within reserve.
4. Tribes: Home to indigenous communities such as Mannans and Palians
5. Vegetation: Varied vegetation with Tropical evergreen, Semi-evergreen, Moist deciduous and Transitional fringe evergreen forests. It also has presence of Grasslands & Eucalyptus plantations.
6. Flora: Teak, mango, rosewood, jamun, jacaranda, terminalia, tamarind, royal poinciana, etc.
7. Fauna:
   1. Tiger, Elephant, Wild pig, Mouse deer and Barking deer.
   2. Primates Found: Lion-tailed macaque (rare), Nilgiri langur, Gee’s golden langur, Common langur and Bonnet macaque.
   3. It is also considered a habitat for the elusive Nilgiri Tahr.

FAQs

Q1. Where is Periyar Tiger Reserve located? 

It is situated in Idukki district of Kerala, near the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border, in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the Western Ghats.

Q2. What are the key geographical features of the Periyar Tiger Reserve?

1. Periyar Lake – artificial lake formed in 1895 by damming the Periyar River
2. Terrain – hilly, undulating, with highest peak Kottamala at 2016 m
3. Rivers – Periyar and Pamba, with Mullaperiyar Dam inside the reserve

Q3. Which tribes live in the Periyar Tiger Reserve? 

It is home to indigenous communities like the Mannans and Palians.

Q4. What vegetation is found in the Periyar Tiger Reserve? 

The reserve has tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, and transitional fringe evergreen forests, along with grasslands and eucalyptus plantations.

Q5. What fauna is found in Periyar Tiger Reserve?

1. Large mammals: Tiger, elephant, wild pig, mouse deer, barking deer
2. Primates: Lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Gee’s golden langur, common langur, bonnet macaque
3. Also considered habitat for the elusive Nilgiri Tahr.