Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary | |
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IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
Location | Kerala, India |
Coordinates | 10°18′00″N 77°10′30″E / 10.3°N 77.175°E |
Area | 90.44 km2 (34.92 sq mi) |
Elevation | 2372 |
Established | August 1984 |
Website | www |
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located 18 km north of
It has earned the name for being the only rehabilitation centre for the Indian star tortoise in India.[2]
It is under the jurisdiction of and contiguous with
Geography
CWS is located between latitude 10º15' - 10º21' N and longitude 77º5' - 77º16' E. [5] The
The altitude ranges from 400 meters (1,300 ft) at east end of the Chinnar River to 2,522 meters (8,274 ft) at Kumarikkal Mala peak. Other major peaks in the sanctuary are Nandala Malai 2,372 meters (7,782 ft), Kottakombu malai (2,144 meters (7,034 ft)), Vellaikal malai (1,863 meters (6,112 ft)) and Viriyoottu malai 1,845 meters (6,053 ft). In contrast, Anamudi peak 2,695 metres (8,842 ft), located 23 kilometers (14 mi) away in the adjacent Eravikulam National Park, is the highest peak in South India.[citation needed]
The Chinnar and Pambar rivers are the major perennial water resources in the sanctuary. The Chinnar originates near Kumarikal Malai, follows the interstate boundary along the northwest edge of the sanctuary for 18 km and becomes the Amaravati River in Tamil Nadu.
The Pambar River originates in the Anaimudi Hills and is joined by seasonal rivulets and a few perennial streams originating from
Settlements and crops
There are 11 tribal settlements inside the Chinnar WLS, each is well demarcated by temporary stone walls. The main inhabitants are
Fauna
The sanctuary's fauna comprises:[7]
- 28 mammal species, including ;
- 225 bird species including yellow-throated bulbul;
- 52 reptile species including 29 species of snakes, Indian star tortoise and the largest population of mugger crocodiles in Kerala;
- 14 fish species observed in the Chinnar and Pambar rivers include Garra mullya, river-carp baril, giant danio and the endangered hill stream game fish Deccan mahseer;
- 15 amphibian species;
- 156 species of butterflies.
In 2016, 101 species of
Flora
There are 963 species of flowering plants in the sanctuary.[7]
The Marayoor sandalwood forest is located here.[10]
Regional cooperation
Senior officials of the
A regular conference of the forest ministers and forest officials of the southern states is held once a year, in rotation in each state.[11]
Gallery
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Information board at Chinnar Checkpost
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Chinnar Watchtower
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River Pambar
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Thoovanam Waterfalls
References
- ^ Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department (2004). "The Sanctuaries and National Parks in Kerala". Govt. of Kerala. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
- ^ Pereira, I. (2017). "Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary hitches wagon to star tortoises". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- ^ a b Eco-Informatics Centre, Conservation Database. "Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary". ATREE. Archived from the original on 6 September 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
- ^ UNESCO, World Heritage sites, Tentative lists, Western Ghats sub cluster, Niligiris. retrieved 4/20/2007 [1]
- ^ Centre for Environment & Development (2004) Forest Fire Forecasting in Western Ghats, India Chinnar wildlife sanctuary
- ^ CED Chinnar wildlife sanctuary
- ^ a b The Kerala Forest Department (2012). "Annexure - 4-10: Flora and Fauna Of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary" (PDF). Government of Kerala. pp. 140–182. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- .
- ^ Department of Forests and Wildlife. "Management Plan (2002-2011)". Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Government of Kerala. Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
- ^ keralatourism.org, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
- ^ CONFERENCE OF THE FOREST MINISTERS OF SOUTHERN STATES, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 3 – 4 November 2006 Forest Ministers Resolution