The Periyar Tiger Reserve literally lives a dammed existence! More than a century ago, a dam was constructed across the Periyar River and a splendid artificial lake was built as a result. The then Maharaja of Travancore provided his protection to the surrounding dense jungles (that had not been submerged) and the foundation for Kerala's only Tiger Reserve was thus laid. Noted for its diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve now attracts visitors from all over the world.

The lake offers a perrineal water supply to the forests and its animals. It also provides unique oppurtunities to cruise along its waters, watching the animals from up close. The greatest attraction of Periyar, however, is the herds of wild elephants that come down to the lake, completely regardless of the tourist boats.

History: More than a century ago, a British engineer, Col. J. Pennycuick, chalked out a plan to dam the Periyar River, subsequently, a dam was constructed in 1895. This resulted in the adjoining forests being granted protection, by the Maharaja of Travancore. The area was declared a sanctuary in 1934 at the instigation of the Maharajah (know then as Nellikkampatty). It was renotified as Periyar and enlarged from 60,000ha to its present size in 1950 after parts of the Periyar lake reserve were added to it. Originally declared a reserved forest (under the then princely State Government of Travancore) in 1899 in order to protect the catchment area of the Periyar River, the lake/ reservoir was leased to the then Government of Madras for 999 years. Periyar became Kerala's only tiger reserve in 1978. The first notification to make the core area (30,500ha) a national park was issued in 1982. Final notification awaits completion of formalities involving the eviction of four cardamom estates.

Terrain: The central feature of the park is the reservoir with a waterspread area of 2,600ha, ranging in depth from 32m to 46m. There are a few islands, with vegetation. The Periyar and Mullayar river systems drain the area. The former originates from deep within the   evergreen core area, some 50km south of the Sanctuary headquarters at Thekkady, and meets the latter at Mullakudy where the lake begins. Otherwise, the terrain is basically hilly, and the only flat areas of the sanctuary are the grasslands, at the edges of the lakes. Impregnable forests and open grasslands make for a sustaining environment, for both the carnivore and herbivore population of the reserve.

Flora: The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary comprises chiefly of tropical evergreen forest and semi-evergreen forest. Moist deciduous forest and grasslands predominate in the central part of the sanctuary, particularly around the reservoir while reed brakes located in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests cover about 1,000ha. There are also Eucalyptus Eucalyptus grandis plantations in the buffer zone to the west.