Periyar Lake - Wildlife Boat Safari in Thekkady

The lake is not a natural formation but an artificial one created in 1895 with the completion of the Mullaperiyar Dam. The dam was constructed under the supervision of British engineer John Pennycuick to divert water from the west-flowing Periyar river to the arid regions of Tamil Nadu. The construction submerged a large area of forest, creating the lake we see today. In 1934, the area was declared the Nellikkampatty Game Sanctuary. It was later expanded and established as the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in 1950. The lake remains the lifeline of the sanctuary, now a protected Tiger Reserve.

Periyar Lake's primary significance lies in its role as a critical habitat within the Periyar Tiger Reserve. It acts as a permanent water source, attracting a high concentration of wildlife to its shores, which makes it one of South India's most popular wildlife sighting locations. The boat cruises on the lake have made wildlife watching accessible to a large number of tourists. The unique ecosystem, with its submerged trees, also supports a variety of aquatic life and birds, making it a place of ecological importance.