Sambar Deer is one of the dominant deer species in the Periyar Tiger Reserve and an important food source for the three sympatric large carnivores – Tigris, Leopard and Dhole (wild dogs).
Kerala
Restricted Demon – Butterfly
Restricted Demon Butterflies are common in forests as well as countrysides, frequently seen during the rainy season. The upper side of the wings have three small white dots and just below that a long white patch. These butterflies are drawn to flowers especially lantana. Other favorite plants are Costus specoisa, Zingiber montana and Curcuma decipiens.
Rose
Roses are elegant and also nostalgically shaped blooms that have an almost magical attraction. The rose is one of the oldest cultivated plants, and also richest in mythology. The fact that they bloom throughout the year makes these flowers a common sight in the gardens of the High Ranges.
Wild Periyar: November 10, 2012
Mr. Richard George from England stayed at Cardamom County and shared some of his wild life experiences from his visit to the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Bachelor Button (Gomphrena globosa)
Gomphrena globosa, also known as Globe Amaranth or commonly called Bachelor Button, is an annual plant widely growing in and around the gardens of Kerala’s high ranges. The compact and colourful flowers brighten the landscape and are used for fresh-cut and dried floral arrangements.
From Behind the Wheel: Heaven On Wheels
Thevara Ferry Junction, Thevara
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Part of the Nilgiri biosphere, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an area of 344.44 square kilometres formed by two discontinuous pockets, Muthunga in the south and Tholpetty in the North. Nearly one third of the area is covered by plantations of Teak, Rosewood, Silver oak and eucalyptus.The rest is covered with Bamboo groves, moist deciduous and semi- evergreen forests. The sanctuary boasts a rich fauna, with elephants and deer the most commonly sighted.
From Behind the Wheel: Make Way For Ducklings!
Banarji Road, Ernakulam; Photo Credit: Ben Barkley
Marigold
Marigold is a long lasting bloomer bearing numerous single, yellow to orange flowers on each stem. It is commonly found in the high ranges of Kerala, but grows throughout India. These flowers are mainly used for garlands, Temple offerings and medicinal purposes.
Common Indian Crow Butterfly (Euploea core)
Photo credit: Ramesh Kidangoor
Common Indian Crow is one of most common butterflies in and around the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The wings of the butterfly are brown in color with two lines of white spots on the lower sides. Continue reading
From Behind the Wheel: Trivandrum Toy Stall
Trivandrum
From Behind the Wheel: Mattress Mover
Travancore Tortoise
Periyar’s diverse ecosystems of evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous and dry forest makes it a reptile friendly habitat. Forty-five species of reptile make the reserve their home, including the charismatic Travancore Tortoise.
From Behind the Wheel: Fisheye Faith
Alleppey
The Common Indian Monitor
The Periyar Tiger Reserve is popular for its animal sightings, scenic splendour and biodiversity. The common Indian Monitor is the only known species of monitor lizard found in the reserve.
Pink Water Lily
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Native to India and common in Kerala, Pink Water Lily is mostly seen growing in the fresh water ponds and back waters. The round floating leaves are a perfect backdrop for fragrant flowers are fragrant that open throughout the day and close at night.
From Behind the Wheel: Lorry Jenga
Red Helen Butterfly (Papilio helenus)
The Red Helen is the third largest butterfly in India. The wings are dark in colour with a creamy white patch on its prominent “swallowtail” hind wings. These butterflies are mostly seen in the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats. Citrus tress, evodia and roxburghiana are the favorite food plants for these butterflies.
Biodiversity At Our Doorstep
Between the Western Ghats’ recent World Heritage Site designation and Periyar Tiger Reserve’s U.N. accolades reported here, awareness of our neighborhood is most certainly on the rise.
We’ve commented on PTR’s enlightened leadership previously, but it’s always encouraging to hear additional applause.
The Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) has won the coveted U.N.-India Biodiversity Governance award instituted by the Government of India and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the best managed protected area of the country.
From Behind the Wheel: Barcelona Fans On the Move
Organikos 