Periyar National Park

Periyar National Park
Map showing the location of Periyar National Park
Map showing the location of Periyar National Park
Periyar NP
LocationIdukki and [Pathanamthitta district
Nearest cityKottayam, Kochi
Coordinates9°34′39″N 77°10′48″E / 9.5775°N 77.1800°E / 9.5775; 77.1800
Area350 km2 (140 sq mi)
Established1934-1950 (As Nellikkaampetty Game sanctuary), 1950-present(As Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary)
Visitors754,306 (in 2016)
Governing bodyGovt of India & Department of Forests and Wildlife (Kerala)

Field Director: Sri. Georgi P Mathechan

Deputy Director: Smt. Silpa V. Kumar
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Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (PNP) is a protected area located in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in Kerala, India. It is a renowned Elephant and Tiger reserve. The protected area encompasses 925 km2 (357 sq mi), of which 305 km2 (118 sq mi) of the main zone was declared as the Periyar National Park in 1982. The park is a repository of rare, endemic, and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala: the Periyar and the Pamba.

The park is located high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the south Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu. It is 4 km (2.5 mi) from Kumily, Thekkady, 86 km (53 mi) south east of Thodupuzha, 103 km (64 mi) east of Kottayam, 110 km (68 mi) west of Madurai and 147 km (91 mi) southeast of Kochi.[1]

  1. ^ Welcome to Periyar Tiger Reserve, Periyar Tiger Reserve, 2012, archived from the original on 3 November 2019, retrieved 31 January 2012