Wayand Part 1

Sanctuaries around Wayanad

been declared as project elephant site and one can spot herd of elephants roaming in the area. Wayanad wildlife sanctuary was formed in the year 1973 and was brought under the Project Elephant in the year 1991-92

The Muthanga is on the way from Mysore to Sultan Battery. Wild animals such as Indian Bison, elephant, deer and tiger are spotted here. It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. It is bestowed with lush green forests and rich wildlife and houses some of the rare and endangered species of both flora and fauna.

Elephant rides are arranged by the Forest Department,Kerala. Discovering and observing the wildlife while being atop an elephant is an enthralling and unforgettable experience.

It is spread over 344 km² and is about 16 km east of Sultan Battery, the nearest large town. This sanctuary occupies an area of 345 km2. The Western Ghats, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster including all of the sanctuary, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site

Location
It is Kerala-karnatak border, abour 16 km east of Sulthan Bathery.
How to reach
By road: The sanctuary is connected by the road with 17 km from Sulthan Bathery, Kalpetta (42 kms), Mananthvady (59kms) and Kozhikode (96 kms).

Mysore is at 95 kms distance form here and Ooty 160 kms. The nearest airposrtin Kozhikode and railhead is Kozhikode.

Distance chart: Muthaumalai 123 kms, Kalpetta 42 kms and Sulthan Bathery 17 kms
Contact 
STD code: 04936. Wildlife warden, Muthanaga wildlife sanctuary , Sultahn Bathery Ph : 271010, 220454.
Timings
7 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 5.30 pm.
Stay
Wooden rest houses and dormitories are available within the sanctuary
Best season
November to October
Safari in Muthanga
Entry fee for adult is Rs 10 and for child is Rs 5
Charge for still camera is Rs 50 and video camera is RS 150
Guide charge RS 100
Jeep entry charge Rs 50

You can hire a jeep from Muthanga for Rs 300
The entrance to Muthaga is 15 km from Sulthan Bathery towards Mysore
No prior permission is required to visit the parkNagerhole wildlife sanctuary, which is 490 kms from Mananthavady is in Karnataka. It extends over an area of 643.39 sqkms. The park houses diverse species of plant and animal life. It situates near to Tholpetti and it is in Coorg district. The entry in Kerala is though Tholpetti via Kutta. The park is well connected to adjoining areas of Karnataka. Motorable highways link the park to the towns of Madikere (90 km) and Mysore (96 km) . The journey from both places lasts approximately 2 hours. The nearest well-connected railway junction is Mysore, while the nearest international airport is Bangalore (220 km).

Nagarhole Park was set up in 1955. In 1975, its area was increased to include a greater expanse of forest reserve. The original forest was once an exclusive hunting ground for the erstwhile Maharajas of Mysore. The park has been recently renamed as Rajiv Gandhi NationalPark after the late Prime Minister of India. Nagarhole National Park is counted among India' s best wildlife parks. It has a large elephant and bison population. It also hosts a variety of animal species along with approximately 250 species of birds. On its northern confines is the Kabini River and on its southern fringes is the Bandipur national park.

How to reach
By air: Banagalore ( 220km)
By rail: Myosre (80 km)
By Road: It is 21 km from Tholpetti wild life sanctuary, 80 kms from Mysore, 90 kms from Madikkery and 220 km from Bangalore.
Contact
STD code: 08274

Nagerhole National park office: Ph :244221, Mob:09980749793.
Wildlife warden Yathish Kumar:0822-252041
Kutta police station Coorg:Ph: 08274-244100, 09480804958.
Best season
Ocyober –May
Tips
Reach the statuary by early morning to get a good sight of animals. One must arrive at the park gates well before dusk, for the road through the park that leads to the lodges is prone to elephant blocks and closes at 6 pm. Those interested in trekking should avoid visiting the park during monsoons as floods wash out most of its dirt tracks and leeches render trekking impossible.

Park entry fee: Rs 60
Safari charge:Rs 35
Handicam:RS 150, Video camerla Rs 300
No fee for still camera
Timings
6 am to 8 am and 3 pm to 5 pm
One house safari convers 18 to 20 kmsNagerhole wildlife sanctuary, which is 490 kms from Mananthavady is in Karnataka. It extends over an area of 643.39 sqkms. The park houses diverse species of plant and animal life. It situates near to Tholpetti and it is in Coorg district. The entry in Kerala is though Tholpetti via Kutta. The park is well connected to adjoining areas of Karnataka. Motorable highways link the park to the towns of Madikere (90 km) and Mysore (96 km) . The journey from both places lasts approximately 2 hours. The nearest well-connected railway junction is Mysore, while the nearest international airport is Bangalore (220 km).

Nagarhole Park was set up in 1955. In 1975, its area was increased to include a greater expanse of forest reserve. The original forest was once an exclusive hunting ground for the erstwhile Maharajas of Mysore. The park has been recently renamed as Rajiv Gandhi NationalPark after the late Prime Minister of India. Nagarhole National Park is counted among India' s best wildlife parks. It has a large elephant and bison population. It also hosts a variety of animal species along with approximately 250 species of birds. On its northern confines is the Kabini River and on its southern fringes is the Bandipur national park.

How to reach
By air: Banagalore ( 220km)
By rail: Myosre (80 km)
By Road: It is 21 km from Tholpetti wild life sanctuary, 80 kms from Mysore, 90 kms from Madikkery and 220 km from Bangalore.
Contact
STD code: 08274

Nagerhole National park office: Ph :244221, Mob:09980749793.
Wildlife warden Yathish Kumar:0822-252041
Kutta police station Coorg:Ph: 08274-244100, 09480804958.
Best season
Ocyober –May
Tips
Reach the statuary by early morning to get a good sight of animals. One must arrive at the park gates well before dusk, for the road through the park that leads to the lodges is prone to elephant blocks and closes at 6 pm. Those interested in trekking should avoid visiting the park during monsoons as floods wash out most of its dirt tracks and leeches render trekking impossible.

Park entry fee: Rs 60
Safari charge:Rs 35
Handicam:RS 150, Video camerla Rs 300
No fee for still camera
Timings
6 am to 8 am and 3 pm to 5 pm
One house safari convers 18 to 20 kms

Tholpetti
Wayand wildlife sanctuary situates along the northern region of Wayanad, which is bordering Coorg district of Karnataka. Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary is connected to Muthanga and to the Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka, and is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Flanked by towering mountain ranges on all four sides, Tholpetty covers an area of 345 SqKm. The sanctuary's deciduous forest cover, rich in bio-diversity, is home to 900-odd wild elephants, apart from numerous other species of animals.
Location
It is 24 km east of Mananthavady and 8 km west to Negerhole National park.

Distance chart: It is 96 km form Kozhikode, 95 km form Mysore, 160 km from Ooty , 59 km from Kalpetta dnd 24 km from Mananthavdy
How to reach
By air: Kozhikode Karipur airport, 120 km
By reial: Kozhikode , 96 km
By road: KSRTC buses connect Tholpetty with all nearby towns
Contact
STD code: 04935:Assistnat wildlife warden, Tholpetty, Ph :250853, 240233
Best season
November to May
Stay
Accommodation facilities are available at Mananthavady, which is the nearest town. The sramby, the wooden rest houses, and dormitories are available within the sanctuary
Sights around
Thirunelli temple, which is 32 kms from Mananthavady, Kuruva Island which is at 17 kms distance and Pakshipathalam which is 7.5 kms form Thirunelli
Safari in Tholpetti
Entry fee is Rs 50 per vehicle
Rent for jeep us Rs 300
Entry fee per hed Rs 10
Camera Rs 50, Video camera Rs 150, Guide fee Rs 100
Timings
7 am to 9 am and 3 pm to 5 pm.
Muthanga

Muthanga wild life sanctuary is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere region. It is a rain forest reserve connected to two major sanctuaries, Bandhipur National Park in Karnataka and Mudumalai sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. It has