National Parks in Kerala
Kerala has a forest area of 11,125 sq km, which is almost 29 percent of the total land area of the state. There are Five National Parks and 13 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala.
- Eravikulam National Park
- Silent Valley National Park
- Paampadum Shola National Park
- Aanamudi Shola National Park
- Mathikettaan Shola National Park
These parks and sanctuaries cover 2250 sq km, which is 24 percent of the total forest area and 6 percent of the total land area of the state.
Eravikulam National Park: Acclaimed as the roof of Kerala, this area was originally established as a sanctuary for the protection of the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius). Extending over an area of 97 sq km, Eravikulam National Park is the biggest National Park in Kerala. This park is situated in the Devikulam taluk of Idukki district. The endangered Nilgiri Tahr, the only wild goat, found to the south of the Himalayas, is the attraction here. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1975 and was notified as a National Park in 1978. The Western Ghats, identified as one of the world's hotspots of biodiversity, fortify the park and the Anamudi peak, at a height of 2,695 metres, stands like a sentinel nearby. The park boasts of lush vegetation which supports a wide variety of fauna.
| Ideal Period of Visit | November - April |
| Vegetation | Tropical Evergreen |
| Nearest Railway Station | Cochin (143 km) |
| Nearest Town | Munnar (16 km) |
Silent Valley National Park: Notified as a National Park in 1984, Silent Valley National Park is situated in Palakkad district. The park is 89.52 sq km in area. The park got this name as the valley is free from the chirping noise of crickets. This park is home to one of the most endangered species of monkeys, the Lion-tailed Macaque. Wildlife here includes Elephants, Tigers, Gaur Sambhar, Panther etc. Besides, the thick undergrowth and foliage provides a suitable hide out for a number of small animals. The park is also home to a rich reserve of rare plants and herbs.
| Ideal Period of Visit | September - March |
| Vegetation | Evergreen forest |
| Nearest Railway Station | Coimbatore (155 km) |
| Nearest Town | Mannarkkad (32 km) |
Mathikettan Shola : This 12.8 sq km area was declared a National Park in November, 2003. The notified area, which extends to 1,281.74 hectares, falls in Pooppara village in Idukki district. Mathikettan shola was notified as a National Park to protect the wildlife and rich biodiversity of the area. The pristine shola forest in the area is bestowed with unique ecological, faunal, floral and geomorphological wealth.
Aanamudi Shola : The Anamudi Shola National Park constitutes the Mannavan shola, Idivara shola and Pullardi shola, covering a total area of around 750 hectares. Anamudi is located along the Western Ghats in Idukki District
Pampadum Shola : The smallest National Park in the state covers only an area of 1.32 sq km. This park is situated in the Marayoor village of Idukki district. Taking into account the environmental importance and the rare bio diversity of the Shola pastures, this area was notified as a National Park in 2004.
