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Ab out
Peppara National Park
The
forests of Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary constitute the
catchment of Peppara dam constructed across Karamana river and
commissioned during 1983 to augment drinking water supply to
Thiruvananthapuram city and suburban areas. Considering the ecological
significance of the area, it was declared as sanctuary during 1983.
The area was formerly a part of Paruthippally range of
Thiruvananthapuram Territorial Division.
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary consists of Part of Palode reserve
(24sq.kms) and part of Kottoor reserve (29sq.kms). The total area of
the sanctuary is 53 sq.kms. The total water spread of the reservoir is
5.82 sq.kms.
The sanctuary is located about 50kms. north east of Thiruvananthapuram
city in Nedumangad taluk of Thiruvananthapuram district between
longitude 76°40' and 77°17' east and latitude 80°7'and 8°53' north.
General topography of the area is hilly with elevation varying from
100 m to 1717m. Rainfall and other climate factors are similar to that
of Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. There are 13 tribal settlements in the
sanctuary. Eleven are in Athirumala section and two are in Thodayar
section.
The Following major forest types are recognised in the wildlife
sanctuary.
-
Southern hilltop tropical evergreen : This type of forest
is of stunted evergreen, found above 1000m elevation on the top of
hills. They are exposed to heavy wind and less favourable soil and
climatic conditions.
-
West coast semi- evergreen : A transitional zone between
evergreen and moist deciduous, this type occurs mostly in hill
slopes from 150 to 1050m. The riparian areas also contain them.
-
Southern moist mixed deciduous forests : This type of
forest covers more than 60% of the tract along the lower slopes of
hills.
The major
mammals include elephant, gaur,sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, wild
boar, tiger, panther, wild dog, lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur,
Malabar squirrel etc. Water birds like darter, little cormorant, pied
king fisher and egrets are also common. Many kinds of snakes including
the king cobra and python are also present in this sanctuary. The area
has a variety of moth and butterflies. |
