Wayanad Tourist Information

Flora

The flora of Wayanad are characteristic of the Western Ghats and the plantation crops grown in the cool climate. A major portion of the district is covered by coffee. Trees of the wild type like rosewood, anjili (Artocarpus), mullumurikku (Erthrina), several species of caussia and many other nondescrip varieties are still preserved here and there, to give shade to the coffee plants. These trees give a dembalance of wilderness to the landscape of Wayanad. In a majority of coffee plantations, the ageold species are replaced by the silveroak which is suited to the cold climate. This tree grows quickly and its cultivation is widespread among coffee plantations for shade and for giving support to pepper. It is used for the plywood industry and thus is economical to the farmers. Eucalyptus grandis, a shorter variety of eucalyptus, whose fragrant smell suffuses the very air around it, is cultivated on a large scale in centain parts of the district. Eucalyptus oil is extracted on commercial basis from its leaves. Of the 20,864 hectares of reserve forest, the major portion is teak plantation. Arecanut palms and jack trees are also grown here. Tea is grown as an industry in large estates. The soil and climate of Wayanad are suitable for horiculture on commercial basis. For promoting the cultivation of vegetables and raising of orchards, the Kerala Agricultural University is running a Regional Agricultural Research Station at Ambalavayal. With the clearing of forests, the diverse and buzzling animal life, characteristic of the forests of Western Ghats, has vanished from Wayanad. One can still see the bonnet monkeys, loris, mongooses, jungle cats, squirrels, jackals, hares, etc. in the limited forest areas. Elephant, bear and other wild animals from the neighbouring wild life sanctuaries of Karnadaka and Tamil Nadu, stray into the Begur forest range and the forests around Muthanga, which is 20 kilometres away from the town of Sulthan Bathery.

The dry and moist deciduous elements dominate the flora of Wayanad. Careya arborea (Pezhu), Dalbergia latifolia (Rosewood), Termination chebula (Kadukka), Kydia calycina (Vellachadachi), Anogeissus latifolia (Axle wood), Stereospermum colias (Padiri) etc. are the dominant tree species. Shrubs such as Helicters isora, Randia ulginosa and herbs like Ageratum conizioides, Rauvolfia, serpentine , sida cordifolia, etc are also present. The dedicious forests of Wayanad is famous for woody climbers like Entada scandens, Calycopteries floribunda etc. Bambusa bambos, Dendrocalamus strictus and Ochlandra rheedii are also frequent.

Fauna

As a part of contiguous stretch of forests, Wayanad has representatives of all peninsular Indian Mammals. The seasonal movements of elephants with the advent of summer increase the density of this mega herbivore in the sanctuary . The guar sambar chitral barking deer wild boars etc are commonly sighted. The tiger, leopard, wild dogs and sloth bear are the carnivores. The lesser cats such as jungle cat and leopard cat are the also occasionally seen. Common langur and bonnet macaques are the commonest monkeys of the sanctuary . The rarest slender loris is also reported. The avifauna is rich with 123 species including great black woodpecker, golden backed three toed wood pecker, Malabar whistling thrush , Malabar trogon shama, painted bush quail, golden oriole, peacock, paradise flycatcher, Malabar grey hornbill, pariah kite, crested honey buzzard, crested serpent eagle etc. The deciduous habitat is the ideal home of a varied reptile fauna. Crocodile, golden tree snake, coral snake green whip snake, pit vipers, termite hall gecko, chameleon, flying lizard, monitor lizard, skinks, and flap shell turtles are a few to mention Thirty species of amphibians are recorded from the sanctuary. Ornate microhylid, red microhylid, Ceylon kaliula, trianglespotted Ramnella, bicoloured frog, bronze frog and Malabar gliding frog are the commonest amphibians. The tributaries of Kabani draining the area have a variety of fishes including the rare and endemic ones. The Wayanad barb (Puntius wynaadensis), korhi barb (P. micropogon), Wayanad mystus (Mystus montanus), snake heads (Channasp.), Malabar catopra (Pristoleptis marginata), ariza labeo (Labeo ariza), common rasbora (Rasbora daniconius), giantdanio (Danio aequipinnatus) etc. are commonly seen.

Enjoy Jeep Safaris Tourists can explore the flora and fauna of the sanctuary on board a jeep. This is an excellent option (and the only one) to remain safe as well as increase the chances of animal sighting. However prior permission is required to be taken from the Forest Department for this purpose. You also need to take along a guide provided by the Forest Department compulsorily. It is to be noted here that the elephants of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary are more violent than their brethrens in other sanctuaries of Kerala. Hence, proper precaution needs to be undertaken during your jeep safari.

Flora The undulating landscape of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is covered with moist deciduous teak forests and semi evergreen tree pastures. The floral variety of the park range from Teak, Bamboo, Maruthu, Karimarithi, Rosewood, Venteak, Vengal, Chadachi, Mazukanjirarn (deciduous type) to Veteria indica, Lagerstroemia, Lanceolta, Terminalia Paniculata (semi evergreen type).

Animals Among animals, the Elephant occupies the prominent position though there are a decent number of Tigers in the park as well. Other wild animals that can be sighted here include Panthers, Jungle Cats, Civet Cats, Monkeys, Wild Dogs, Bisons, Deer and Bears.

Reptiles The reptile population is also fairy good with a number of snakes species sighted here. Monitor Lizards are quiet common in this park.

Birds Peacock, Babblers, Cuckoos, Owl, Woodpecker and Jungle Fowl are few of the numerous birds that are seen flying in the park. It is a pleasure to watch as these birds go about their usual tasks collecting food for their young ones and themselves.

Enjoy Bird Watching Bird watching is thoroughly enjoyable experience in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary given the number of species found here. Again, proper care and precaution need to be taken while undertaking a bird watching trip.