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| Wildlife Tourism in Kerala |
The State of Kerala is having
unique physical features with mountains, plains, and marshes with tropical
forests. The varied biotopes naturally present a rich and varied biodiversity.
The coastline, narrow stretch of low land and plains sandwiched between sea and
mountains, and a number of microclimatic regions in the mountains cause for
unique niches in biodiversity spectrum.
Protected Forests
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| Tropical wet evergreen forest |
Kerala has nearly 8000 sq. km
forest area that constitutes protected forests where any kind of logging is prohibited.
There are 5 national parks , 11 wildlife sanctuaries 4 bird sanctuary and two tiger reserve and
biosphere reserve, which account for 2315 sq. km, i.e. about 25% of the total
forest area of Kerala. Such conservation area, when managed scientifically, can
contribute significantly towards in-situ conservation of biological resources
of Kerala.. The farm forests ,backwaters and village ecosystem of the state is
also rich in biodiversity.
Wildlife Tourism in
Kerala
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| Immersed into nature |
Wildlife tourism has developed recently
as a sector of tourism industry. Though Periyar Tiger reserve has a long
history of tourism activities, rest of the forest and wildlife are closed for
tourists and general public till 1995. In 1995, after accepting World bank
funding for forest development the government obliged to start public
participation in forest management. There by people who living inside and
immediate peripherals of protected forest were also participated in forest
management. They constituted Eco-development committees in Sanctuaries and Vana
Samrakshana Samithy in reserve forests.
Wildlife
tourism, when managed in the absence of well thought-out plans and programmes,
may spell doom to natural habitats. Apart from this, the cultural shock
imparted the tourism on the local communities may put their very survival in
danger. With this point in mind wildlife tourism conducting in strict
ecotourism principles ,primarily means marketing the serene natural habitats as
tourism 'product' with an inherent element of nature education. It is aimed at
making the visitor aware of the protective, productive and regulatory functions
of the forests. For wildlife tourism to be sustainable, it has to be small
scale in terms of tourist numbers, physical infrastructure and facilities.
For wildlife tourism to be truly a form of environmentally conscious tourism
and not just pursuit of remote pristine locations, it has to be sustainable
with the continuous capacity to:- safeguard natural environment and biodiversity, the very basis of tourist attraction.
- provide and maintain the quality of tourist experience and satisfaction, and
- benefit the local people in the area.
Major tourism activities
Quick visit and organized day tours as being practised now cannot be called ecotourism. It
is only mass tourism. This type of quick and ready made tours is
conducted in Periyar Tiger Reserve in a mass level. Though the authorities are
trying to control and regulate the number of visitors, every day the visitors
are increasing. This is mainly due to the unregulated promotion of mass tourism
by tour operator companies with a view to increase their business. As the number of tourists increase ecotourism becomes
mass tourism and generates similar infrastructural demands and proportionate
impact on environment as conventional tourism. So it is better to avoid such
activities if you are really concerned of ecotourism.
Nature trails:
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| Nature Trails |
Nature trails
offer excellent experience of nature if going with a group less than 6 persons.
To enjoy wildlife, nature and birds, nature trails guided by an educated
naturalist is essential. Now a days most of the tour operators offers wildlife
sighting in nature trails, which is against wildlife tourism. Sighting of
wildlife is a matter of chance. Nature trails are aimed at educating
participants about the ecosystem and biodiversity, than sighting animals.
Nature trails are
offered in Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary,
Peppara WLS, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Pampadumchola NP, Eravikulam NP,
Chinnar WLS, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Nelliyampathy hills, Silent Valley NP
etc. The walking safaris are available from 3hrs to full day. No walking tours
and nature trails are allowed in Wayanad WLS.
Jungle Camping:
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| Jungle camps in Kerala |
Nature trail with
jungle camping is the best experience in wildlife tourism. Walking though the
wildlife zone involves certain level of danger, but enthralling. Camping inside
jungle in permanent camp sheds enjoying the dusk and dawn offers real
experience of jungle.
Jungle camps are
offered in Chinnar WLS, Pampadumchola
NP, Parambikulam TR, Periyar TR, Nellyampathy hills, Eravikulam NP etc. One can
opt multiple days nature trails and camping.
Jeep Safaris
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| Wildlife Safaris |
Wayanad Wildlife
Sanctuary is the only place in Kerala which offers Jeep Safari inside wildlife
zone with exclusive safari experience. Safaris also conducted in Silent Valley
Vehicle safaris
offered by Parambikulam TR is not at all an interesting wildlife experience and
not properly organized.
Bird
watching: Western Ghats
as Most Endemic Birding Area. Demand for birding is increasing day by day.
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| Birding tours |
Boat
Safaris
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| Wildlife Boat Safaris |
Boat safari is conducted in Periyar Tiger
Reserve.
Bamboo
rafting:
Bamboo rafting is conducted in Periyar Tiger Reserve and
Parambikulam Tiger reserve.
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| Bamboo rafting in Parambikulam |
The forest and wildlife enclaves
of Kerala offer excellent nature experience.
Contact me at kgatours@gmail.com
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