Wayanad Tourist Information

Wayanad wild life sanctuary, Muthanga Established in 1973, the Wayanad wild life sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Muthumalai of TamilNadu on southeast. Rich in biodiversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. The management lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration for the general life styles of tribals and others who live in and around the forest. The vegetation is predominantly moist deciduous forest with small stretches of swamps, teak forests, bamboo and tall grass. Amidst such fertile and varied flora, this region hosts several rare herbs and medicinal plants. With numerous watering holes Muthanga has a large population of pachyderms, and has been declared a Project Elephant site. Also Jungle Cats, Panthers, Civet Cat, Monkeys, Wild dogs, Deers, Spotted Bears, Bisons, Gaurs, Cheetah, Wild Bears, Peacock, Owls, Jungle fowls, Woodpeckers, Babblers, Cukoos etc.. can be seen here. The reserve is also home to a small population of Tigers. Elephant rides are arranged here by the forest department. Permitting authorityWildlife Warden, Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary, Sulthan Bathery. Ph 04936 220454 Muthanga, Which is 16 km. east of Sulthan Bathery, is located very near to the Karnadaka border. Wild forests covering an area of 345 sq.km form the Muthanga wild life sanctuary. The Sanctuary exists as two bits. Tholpetty, near Mananthavady is contiguous with Nagarhole of Karnataka. The Muthanga Bathery Kurichiat Ranges are nearer to Sulthan bathery and border Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu and Bandipur of Karnataka . Rich in biodiversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological and cultural heritage of the region. Interestingly it was from here that Pazhassi Raja fought valiantly against the British. Consisting entirely of notified Reserves, the Sanctuary is very rich in fauna and flora. The management of the Sanctuary lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration to the general lifestyle of the tribals and others who live on the fringes of the forest. The tract is gently undulating with occasional hillocks. The highest peak is Karottimala (1158m). An average annual rainfall of 2000 mm is received. Temperature varies from 13° c to 32°c. Wayanad abounds in wildlife sanctuaries. Elephants, spotted deer, sloth bear, samba and gaur are just some of the species you can spot. The distances of the various sanctuaries from the resort are as follows Muthanga 55 km, Nagarhole 70 km, Bandipur 75 km, Mudumalai 100 km, Tholpatti 70km.

Forest types

The Sanctuary has the typical moist and dry deciduous forest types which covers most of the area. However there are a few patches of semi ever green forests. The moist deciduous forests are intervened with natural growth of bamboo thickets. About 30% of the Sanctuary is under plantations of teak, eucalyptus and silver oak. However the recent management of the Sanctuary aims conservation in total encouraging natural regeneration in plantations. The marshy lands, locally called "vayals" in the midst of deciduous forests are the ideal places for wild life viewing.

The vegetation is predominantly moist deciduous forest with small stretches of swamps, teak forests, bamboo and tall grass. Amidst such fertile and varied flora, this region hosts several rare herbs and medicinal plants. Wildlife Warden, Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary, Sulthan Bathery. Ph 04936 220454 About the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary An intrinsic part of the Nilgiri Biosphere, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is joined to two other wildlife parks Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast.

The sanctuary was formed in the year 1973 and was brought under the Project Elephant in the year 199192.. Occupying an area of 345 sq km, the Waynad Wildlife Sanctuary happens to be the second largest one in the state of Kerala. The sanctuary is separated into two disconnected parts known as the Upper Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Tholpetty) in the north and Lower Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Muthanga) in the south. The area in between the two parts was orginally a forest region, though it is now occupied majorly by plantations. Till date, a number of dispersed human settlements can be found in the sanctuary area.

The term Wayanad literally means 'land of swamps'. A visit to the Sanctuary offers tourists a chance to witness the efforts made by the management to conserve the biological reserve of the park. The scenic beauty and the variety of flora and fauna also keep the visitors busy and entertained.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamilnadu on the southeast. Rich in biodiversity, the Wayanad area is integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region Consisting mostly of notified reserve, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is very rich in fauna and flora. The management of the sanctuary lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration to the general lifestyle of the indigenous people and others who live on the fringes of the forest. Permitting authority Wildlife Warden, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Sulthan Bathery

Nagarhole Elephant Sanctuary

Situated in Karnataka, this wildlife sanctuary is some 40 km from Mananthavady in Wayanad. Jeeps and trucks regularly transport visitors to this location.

Begur/Tholepetty Wildlife Sanctuary

Several species of animals like elephant , bison, spotted deer, tiger, leopard, bear and wild boar are found in this sanctuary , which is just 100 km from Vythiri. The best season to visit is Decto May, when animals from the neighbouring Bandhipur, Nagarhole and Mudamalai frequent this sanctuary due to scarcity of water elsewhere. Day trips are organized from various resorts in Wayanad.

Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve

Situated in Karnataka , this famous wildlife sanctuary and tiger reserve is also easily accessible from Malabar and is en route to Ooty.

Mudumalai Elephant Park

Tamil Nadu's most wellknown wild life sanctuary is within easy reach and is just 130 km from Vythiri.

Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary (40 km from Mananthavady) This sanctuary in Karnataka state extends over 643.39 sq.km. The park houses diverse species of plant and animal life. Visiting time06000800 hrs and 15001730 hrs.

Begur Wildlife Sanctuary (20 km east or Mananthavady) This sanctuary is home to many exotic species of fauna. Beeeater ( Nectyronis othertoni) A rare blue beard beeeater a rare bird has been sighted in Wayanad. The blue bird beeeater is the largest beeeater in the world. This rare bird builds nests on the ground and usually dwells in forest especially low land forest clearings and open hill forests. The bird has pale blue forehead and a "beard". The upper parts of the head are green and the belly adorned with soft streaks. The long tail is yellow below and square ended. The bird has decurved slender black bill and short wings. Its call is audible from a good distance.

Before feeding the young, the bird gives a special kind of call to its young ones, perching on a nearby tree as if signaling them to come to the entrance of the nest to receive the food. The nests are found to be almost two and a half meter long inside, a peculiar to this species. The nest and the chicks are highly vulnerable to attack of snakes.

Out of the 24 species of beeeaters seen in the world, six have been spotted in India. Beeeaters play a major role in controlling insect pests, especially wasps, which are poisonous.