Jun 20, 2005 08:08 PM
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(Updated Jun 20, 2005 08:22 PM)
THE PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE, KERALA
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A LAND IN THE SHADOW OF THE TIGER
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'' Watch out! Out here, we are the hunted! The moment you stop paying your respects to the place.... Experience the thrill, the fear, the excitement and life in the land under the shadow of the tiger.''
Hi guys! I went to the Periyar tiger reserve three years back, a surprise gift from my family for the high marks that I got in my matriculation. This is brief account of my experience. As most you guys commented in my last review, quality matters a lot, and so I am taking the maximum precaution not to include any blunders and all the technical information has been verified at the original website of the reserve.
My journey was in the vacation season of April- may 2002, which happens to be one of the best time to visit the park. Mind you, this is not just your average national park. The Periyar tiger reserve is a reserve built on the idea of eco- tourism, which means you get entertainment guaranteed while ensuring that at the reserve remains protected.
I live in Thiruvananthapuram, the southern most district and city of the state of Kerala. The Periyar tiger reserve is located at in the state of idukki, around 260 kilometers from the Trivandrum international airport, and nearly 200 kilometers from the Cochin Nedumbassery international airport. If you want to visit by train, then the best bet would be the Kottayam railway station, nearly 100 kilometers from the reserve. But then, don't be under the impression that journey is going to be difficult as you could always take a bus to the place and also if you want rent a car.
Now the state of idukki is famous for is natural beauty. A state in the hills preserving all the natural beauty that an eye can find in a lifetime. Furthermore, the state has a wide scope for tourism with the idukki dam, the reserve, munnar hill stations, the rajamallai reserve and the beauty of the Western Ghats. The highest peak in south India, the anamudi, is also in the state. Take deep breaths to take in all the essence of the spice gardens. Happy news for all the trekking fans. But the most famous attraction is definitely the tiger reserve.
The Periyar tiger reserve is 777 sq.km of natural forest preserved for ecotourism. The place is called Thekkady. Well! Ask any Keralite for the place and he will tell of about the tigers and the boating. What boating? In a tiger reserve? Well! The reserve has a 26 sq.km lake in the middle which penetrates deep into the lush forests. The lake is the gateway to the wild as during the dry months all the animals including the tiger come out to cool off or have a drink. Don?t forget to bring your camera along.
Now, I visited the place on my way through five other national parks, and the periyar was the one I liked the most. But that is not the point. I did not have to stay in the place. But for visitors coming from far off. Don't worry. There are inns and hotels that suit every pocket. Well! If you are not worried of the pocket, then the best place to say would be the Taj Garden Retreat. But don't worry you could also take the option of going to the munnar hill stations for the stay.
There is another very good option waiting for the adventure tourist. Want to live in the open wilderness? Ya, the true spirit of the adventurer in you. O.k.! you have come to the right place! Choose to live in the forest in bamboo grove, a hut made entirely of bamboo and other natural materials. Or would you choose the jungle inn! Naa! Not enough for you! Tough guy, then perhaps you would like to spent the night in a watch tower, but there are no luxuries available. Sit tight, and control your fears and emotions.
O.k.! Travel and stay covered! You enter the park. Now what? Plenty, I have to say. The first thing that you have to do, in my opinion is the boating. If you are lucky, you may get a glimpse of many exotic animals. I was lucky enough to see the tiger, a herd of elephants, wild boars, and monkeys, lots of them, inside and outside the boats.
The open lake lets you cool off with the steady breeze and if cooling off is not in your agenda, then go for the nature walk. Three hours walk in the lush forest. Under an experienced guide. I dint get the opportunity to try this out as I got to the place only by 11.00 am.
Not adventurous enough! Try the border hiking program. It begins in the morning and you can roam the jungle till the evening with two guides and an armed personnel. You are the guardians of the forest and are on the lookout for all the goonda mawali guys out there. The forest needs you help.
Still not enough for the tough guy in you? Well, well! Have I got the deal for you? The ''tiger trail...'' how about go trekking for three days and two nights under a team of ex- poachers. In search of all the animals out there. Live entirely in the wild. With none of the luxuries. This is much better than even the African safari's cause there is not even a jeep in your hands. You get to experience the full thrill of the wild. See if you are tough enough to handle the job.
From the official website: Only visitors who are medically fit and are in the age group of 15- 60 are advised to take the tiger trail.
What you can expect to find? He list is very vast, starting with the tiger, the elephant, the sambar and a lot of other mammals. The number of exotic birds is just blinding. This is the best place to get wild.
After a adventurous stay at the place, you can also go to the wonderful hill station of munnar and enjoy and relax life.
If you need any help on the tour to the reserve, there are many keralites on Mouthshut, that can help including me, diver.... Please feel free to ask.
What are you waiting for? Get going! Get wild! Under the shadow of the tiger .
THANK YOU FOR READING
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