Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

During a three-day off-season faunal survey held in the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary recently, 14 species of birds, 15 butterflies, and 8 odonates have been newly sighted in the sanctuary.

About Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

• IWL, which came into existence in 1976, is located in the Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola taluks in Idukki District, Kerala.
• It covers 77 sq.km. of forests surrounding the Idukki Arch Dam. 
• Terrain: The terrain of the sanctuary is characterized by steep mountains, valleys, and hills.
• Altitude: Altitude ranging from 450 to 1272 m. The highest peak is Vanjur Medu (1272 m).
• Drainage: The major rivers flowing through the area are Periyar and Cheruthoniar. The sanctuary consists of 33 sq.km. of waterbody of Idukki reservoir.
• Rainfall: Average rainfall is 3800 mm.
• Vegetation: West Coast Tropical Evergreen forests, Semi Evergreen forests, Moist Deciduous Forests, Hill shoals, and Grasslands.
• Flaura: Forests are essentially dense teak, rosewood, jackfruit, ebony, cinnamon, and diverse bamboo species.
• Fauna: 
  • It is home to Elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tiger, wild boar etc apart from various species of snakes including cobra, viper, krait, etc.
  • Birds include jungle fowl, myna, laughing thrush, black bulbul, peafowl, woodpecker, kingfisher, etc.
  • It is home to the endangered species of the Nilgiri Tahr.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1. Where is Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans. It is located in Idukki District, Kerala.

Q2. What is an Arch Dam?

Ans. Arch dams are curved in plan, and most of their water load is carried by the abutment of the arch horizontally. 

Q3. What is the Nilgiri Tahr?

Ans. The Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is an endangered mountain goat species endemic to the Western Ghats of India.

Source: TH