Location : 60 km from Munnar in Idukki district.
Famous For : Spotted Deer, Elephants, Sambar, Monkeys etc.
Major Wildlife Attaractions : Gizzled Giant Squirrel,Thoovanam Waterfalls,Watch Tower.
Best Time To Visit : Throughout The Year Except In Monsoon Months.
A unique thorny scrub forest with xerophyte species, Chinnar is the habitat for the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India. The last world count of these squirrels was less than 200. Located in the rain shadow area of the Western Ghats, unlike other sanctuaries in Kerala, Chinnar gets only 48 days of rain every year. Rich in wildlife, the mixed deciduous forests here are ideal for trekking.
An extensive Sandalwood forest nearby is an added attraction at Chinnar. This is also an ideal place to watch herds of gaurs amble past. Dry deciduous forests, high sholas and wet grasslands add to the diversity of the sanctuary. As one travels from Karimuthi to Chinnar, elephants, spotted deer, sambar, Hanuman monkey and even peacocks can be spotted on either side of the road.
The Chinar wildlife sanctuary is located about 60 km from Munnar in Idukki district. Chinnar is home to the rare giant Grizzled Squirrel of India. In the last census, these squirrels counted around 200. The Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is located in the rain shadow area of the Western Ghats and therefore gets around 50 days of rain every year. Due to its undulating relief features, the Chinar wildlife sanctuary offers ideal condition for trekking.
There is a vast sandalwood forest nearby the Chinnar sanctuary, which adds to the attraction of the wildlife sanctuary. The sandalwood forest provides an ideal place to watch herds of Bison pass by. Dry deciduous forests, high sholas and wet grasslands multiply the diversity of the wildlife sanctuary. Herds of Spotted Deer, Elephants, Sambar, Monkeys and Peacocks can be spotted while traveling from Karimuthi to Chinnar.
