Periyar Tiger Reserve Latest News
The herpetofauna survey conducted in Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) recently has added five new species to the list of amphibians and three new species to that of reptiles, revealing the rich biodiversity of the region.
About Periyar Tiger Reserve
- The PTR, named after the Periyar River, is located in the Idukki district of central Kerala.
- It is set high at Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the Western Ghats, adjacent to the border with Tamil Nadu.
- Established in 1982, it spans approximately 777 sq.km.
- It surrounds the Periyar Lake, which was created in 1895 by building a dam across the Periyar River (to divert the water to Tamil Nadu for irrigation).
- The terrain is hilly and undulating with a maximum altitude of 2016 m. The highest peak is Kottamala (2016 m).
- Rivers: It sets the watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Pamba and the Periyar.
- Mullaperiyar Dam is located within the PTR.
- It is home to many tribal communities, including the Mannans and the Palians.
- Vegetation: It comprises tropical evergreen forests, semi- evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, transitional fringe evergreen forests, grasslands, and eucalyptus plantations.
- Flora: Important flora includes teak, mangoes, rosewood, jamun, jacarandas, terminalias, tamarind, royal ponciana, bamboos, etc.
- Fauna:
- It includes Elephants, Wild Pigs, Sambar, Gaur, Mouse Deer, Dole or Barking Deer, Indian Wild Dog, and Tiger.
- The major four species of primates are also found at Periyar – the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Gee’s Golden Langur, Common Langur, and Bonnet Macaque.
- It is also being considered as the habitat of the elusive Nilgiri Tahr.
- Over 260 species of birds, such as the great hornbill and Malabar grey hornbill, also inhabit the area.
Source: TH
Last updated on July, 2025
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Periyar Tiger Reserve FAQs
Q1. Where is the Periyar Tiger Reserve situated?+
Q2. Which river flows through Periyar Tiger Reserve?+
Q3. The Periyar Tiger Reserve lies within which hill ranges of the Western Ghats?+
Q4. Which tribal communities are native to the PTR area?+
Q5. What is the name of the highest peak in Periyar Tiger Reserve?+
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