Conservation History of Periyar

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations. It is located in the Western Ghats, Idukki district of Kerala. Also known as the Periyar Tiger Reserve, this national park’s northeast boundary is a 90 km border between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Periyar Lake covers an area of 26 square kilometers and is the core region of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Here, you will spot India’s pride – tigers whose main prey is the sambar, along with the wild boar and the Indian bison. In addition, the big herds of cattle are found in the forest’s peripheral areas and form an important portion of prey for the tigers.

About Conservation History of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary:

The conservation in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is considered a biodiversity conservation model, which has emerged as a dynamic and sustainable example for the advancing world.

In India, the protected areas stand as islands bounded by a vast region of the poor and a deprived population. Therefore, there remains always a risk factor for the wild animals that inhabit the places beside the human localities. But tiger poaching has not been accounted for in the last decade. It is estimated that some 26 to 36 tigers have grown in this period. The mission was successful because the local village people understood the need of the hour and got involved in an exclusive biodiversity conservation program.

The primary concerns of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, are biodiversity conservation and eco-development. Every year, nearly half a million tourists visit the wildlife sanctuary, and the local people manage and look after the entire eco-tourism. Most amazingly, along with the women, there are also the ex-poachers who are found working for the forest department as well as educating the visitors.

The bottom line of the Conservation History of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala is that no effective conservation is possible without considering the regional socio-economic issues. According to one of the officials of the wildlife park, the activities in the area of the forest have moved from patrolling to social fencing. The main motive behind the conservation is to build parks without boundaries.

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