Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary

Chimmony wildlife sanctuary is in Central Kerala of India.

Chimmony Wildlife sanctuary

Understand

Chimmony Wildlife sanctuary

Serene, beautiful - Chimmony wildlife sanctuary located in the Western Ghats, is one of the world’s 25 bio-diversity hot-spots, the haven of innumerable species of endangered plants and animals.

The total area of this wild life sanctuary considered as a global mega-diversity zone comprising several local species of living organisms and virgin forests come to around 85.067 km² including the Chimmeney Lake.

Set up in 1984, this sanctuary forms part of the Mukundapuram Taluk of Thrissur District. The distance is 60 km from the Kochi International Airport and 36 km from Thrissur town. It comes under the Peechi Wild Life Division.

Landscape

Altitude: 40 to 1116 m above MSL

Immensely blessed by nature, this protected area which is an integral part of the Western Ghats comprises steep mountain ranges having a height of 40 to 1116 m from the sea level.

The sanctuary coming under the watershed zone of the Chimmony Lake and surrounded by the mountain ranges in the western slopes of the Nelliyampathy hills are rich with several rivers and jungle streams.

The main mountain peaks of this sanctuary are Pindi Mudi (1116 m) and Ponmudi (928 m). The South-East borders have abundance of green forests coming under the Chalakudi-Vazhachaal Forest Division.

The forest area of the sanctuary is categorized into:

• West Coast tropical evergreen forest,
• West Coast semi-evergreen forest and
• Southern Indian moist deciduous forest.

50% of the forests come under moist deciduous category, and 25% under semi-ever green category.

Flora and fauna

Mammals

Theremare 39 species of major mammals that live here, including Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Dhole, Nilgiri Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar and Malabar Giant Squirrel

Birds

160 species are seen here, including: Darter, Dabchick, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Sri Lankan Frogmouth, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Racket-tailed Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Ruby Throated Bulbul, Crested Serpent Eagle, Spot Bellied Forest Owl, Paradise Flycatcher, and Indian Pitta.

Climate

• Av. Rainfall 2980 mm
• Max. Temp. 36°C
• Min Temp. 15°C

Fees and permits

You need a pass to travel in the park.

The fee for each person is ₹10, and the fee for a car is ₹75.

• You can drive your vehicle inside.
• Visiting time is from 6AM to 6PM.
• Plastic is prohibited inside.
• Alcohol consumption is prohibited.
• Entry into reserve forest (except picnic spots) is prohibited.

Get around

Chimmony Dam is situated in Echippara in Mukundapuram taluk of Thrissur District of Kerala state of India. The dam was completed in 1996. It is constructed across Chimoni river, a tributary of Karuvannur river.Chimmony is the largest dam of Thrissur district

See

The sanctuary is an important bird area with 192 recorded avian species.

Sleep

• Misty valley Hill Resort, Nelliyampathy, ☏ +91. Resort located inside forest, spacious rooms and good service, camp fire, tasty food. (updated Feb 2021)