Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - Boating and Wildlife in Thekkady

The sanctuary's origins trace back to 1895 with the construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam, which created the central lake. In 1934, the Maharaja of Travancore, Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, declared the forests around the lake as the Nellikkampatty Game Sanctuary to protect the wildlife from tea plantation encroachment. After India's independence, it was consolidated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1950 and renamed the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It gained further importance when it was included in Project Tiger in 1978 and became the Periyar Tiger Reserve, solidifying its status as a key conservation area in the Western Ghats.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is significant for its unique water-based safari experience, which makes wildlife viewing accessible to a wide audience. It is a crucial habitat for the Indian elephant and the Bengal tiger, forming a vital part of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sanctuary's ecosystem, sustained by the artificial lake, supports immense biodiversity, including endemic flora and fauna. Its popularity has made it a cornerstone of tourism in Kerala, highlighting the potential for conservation and visitor engagement to coexist.