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Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary

Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Indian geographical extremes of the latitudes 100 26’ N and 100 40’ N longitudes 760 15’ E and 760 28’N in Thrissur Taluk and Thalappilly Taluk. Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary takes the credit of being the second largest wildlife sanctuary in the state of Kerala with the code of KER/141. This sanctuary covers the parts of various mala like Bahranipacha mala, Machadmala and Paravattanimala. The sanctuary covers total area of about 125 Sq.km. The well protected region is situated on the sides of NH 47 near Pattikad at Kuthiran. The Head quarter for this region is Peechi, which lies about 8 km from Peechi Kavala in the town of Pattikad.  The road connecting Peechi dam and Peechi Kavala leads to Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary. Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary forms a part of Palapilli-Nelliampatty forests and formed the northern region of Chimmini Sanctuary. the average temperature in this region during summer season is about 100° F (38° C) and temperature during winter season average about 59° F (15° C). The highest peak in this Peechi Vazhani Sanctuary is 923 meter high Ponmudi. This sanctuary receives annual rainfall of about 3000mm.

History

Till the early period of 19th century, the forest under this sanctuary was totally under the control of feudal chief who is well known as Naduvachira. He was the person who owned all the allegiance to the great Cochin Raja. Following the integration of Cochin and Travancore states in 1949, the entire forest that belonged to Cochin then came under the constitution of Chalakudy and Trichur Division along with the Head quarters of Chalakudy and Thrissur region respectively. The Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary was then formed by clubbing together parts of Pattikkad, Peechi and also Machad Range of Kerala Trichur Forest Division vide GO (MS) No. 871 on 06.08.1958. The region of Peechi Range is once again divided into well known Peechi and Vazhani watersheds.

Climate and Best Time to Visit

Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary presents pleasant climate during most part of the year. Specifically between the months of November and January, temperature in this region lies somewhere between 15°C and 20°C between the months of March and April, temperature touches the peak of 38°C. Rainy season visits this place between June and August. The Ideal time to tour this Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary is between October and March. There will be charming and pleasant climate during this period.

How to Reach

By Air

The nearest airport to Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary is Cochin International Airport. It is situated about 98 km away from this sanctuary.

By Rail

The nearest railway station to the sanctuary is at Thrissur. The distance between Thrissur and Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary is only 22 km.

By Road

Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary has got good connectivity to Chalakudy, Thrissur and Kochi by road. From Thrissur, the sanctuary is just 15 km away.

Wildlife

With the abundance of mesmerizing flora around the lake where one can enjoy his boating, this place is definitely a treat for nature lovers. The fauna present in this zone is quite interesting too.

Flora

The sanctuary has wide variety of forest lands including moist deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen. Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary possesses more than fifty different varieties of orchids together with innumerable precious and rare medicinally important plants, rosewood, teak and many more. Different varieties of flora can be located on different altitude of the place. Trees like Venteak, Irul, Thenmavu grow in leave shedding forest. Ambani, Kambakam, Kalpine, Karakil and whiteakil can be found in evergreen forest.

Fauna

Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary consists of diverse fauna including more than 25 mammal species. The list includes carnivores like jungle cat, tiger, and leopard. There are herbivores including Asian Elephant, Indian bison, spotted deer, elks, barking deer and Sambar deer. Elephants and Bison can also be spotted here.

Avifauna

There are more than hundred species of birds and various species of lizards and snakes are found in Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary.

Activities To Do

Nature Camps

NGOs and Government recognized Educational Institutions actively participate in the conservation of this environment by organizing Nature Camps. The participants are provided with free vegetarian food and accommodation. About 30 to 40 people can take part in this camp which last for 2 and 3 days.

Trekking

Trekking in this sanctuary is permitted for persons who possess strong physical and mental power. Prior permission should be acquired from the Government by remitting the prescribed fee.

Administration of Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary

The administration of Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary falls under the jurisdiction of Peechi Wild life Division that comes under Northern Wild life Circle, District of Palakkad.

Accommodation

For tourists who visit Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, accommodation facility is available at their rest house. One can get the complete detail from the information centre located at Peechi.

Nearby Attractions

Peechi Dam was initially constructed to fulfill the drinking water requirement of people of Thrissur region. Apart from this, Peechi Dam also does the function of an irrigation dam delivering water to paddy fields located all around Thrissur. Though this place is not much preferred by tourists, the presence of monsoon makes this area quite interesting for many tourists. The major focus is on the beautiful and amazing view delivered by the completely opened shutters of reservoirs when they were filled with water. There is a chance for tourists to enjoy boating in this place and if they are lucky enough, they can come across wild tuskers on forested banks, a region of which comprises a highly reserved forest.

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