Subhasis Banerjee

KOCHI The port city of Kochi reflects the true spirit of Kerala with its cluster of islands and peninsulas, treasures of historic foreign association and a resultant multicultural influence of the Jews, Portuguese, Chinese and British. The St. Francis Church of the city is probably the oldest European church of the country. During the days of Kublai Khan, Kochi had trade connections with China and the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets used even today by the local fishermen testify their cultural influence. The resident Jewish community of Kochi dates back to almost 2000 years. Old Portuguese churches, Santa Cruz Basilica, Matthanchery Palace, Vypeen and Gundu Islands and Eddapalli form the other attractions of Kochi. Vypeen and Gundu islands can be accessed by ferry. The Cherai beach on the Vypeen Island is extremely calm. The Matthanchery Palace was built by the Portuguese and was gifted to the then ruler of Kochi, Veera Kerala Varma. Accessibility : Kochi is very well connect...

CHINNAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Unlike the other sanctuaries of Kerala, Chinnar gets only 48 days of rain every year due to its location in the rain shadow area of the Western Ghats. Lying in the Idukki district, it is the only habitat of the highly endangered species - Giant Grizzled Squirrel. The sanctuary consists of dry deciduous forests and thorny scrubs along with wet grasslands. An extensive Sandalwood forest nearby is an added attraction along with the massive Thoovanam Falls on the Chinnar River . Strategically erected watchtowers inside the sanctuary facilitate excellent game viewing. Elephant, Bison, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Langur and Peacock are the main fauna of the Park. Accessibility : A 60kms drive from Munnar takes one to the sanctuary. Munnar is 128kms by road from Ernakulam, the nearest railway station and 150kms from the Kochi international airport. Accommodation : Standard and deluxe Hotels in Munnar afford accommodation. Season : November to June.

CHIMMINI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY From the dam across the Chimmini River , one can experience a breathtaking view of this pristine sanctuary in the Thrissur district of central Kerala. The dense tropical forest of this marvellous wildlife sanctuary amidst pristine Nature houses a large population of Elephant, Sambar, Gaur, Malabar Squirrel and Sloth Bear. Accessibility : 115kms from Kochi via Thrissur, the sanctuary is accessed by road. Kochi is very well connected by air, rail and road. Accommodation : Government Guest Houses and Hotels in Thrissur afford accommodation. Season : November to June.

BEGUR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Situated atop a mountainous plateau of the Western Ghats , this wildlife sanctuary is situated in the Wayanad district of north Kerala. Since this virgin forest stretch remained out of the prowl of human civilization for quite some time, the sanctuary reflects some astonishing wealth of flora and fauna. However, historians and anthropologists are of the opinion that the place was a bustling seat of human civilization some ten centuries before Christ. Accessibility : One reaches the sanctuary by driving 108kms northwest of Kozhikode. Kozhikode is very well connected by air, road and rail. Accommodation : There are Hotels and Resorts in Sultan Battery, which is nearby. Season : November to June.

  SILENT VALLEY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY The Silent Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique preserve of highly endangered Tropical Evergreen Rain Forests echoing with teeming wildlife. River Kunthi descends from the Nilgiri Hills and flows through the entire length of the sanctuary, nourishing it affluently. The Park is situated in the Palakkad district of north Kerala and forms the core of the famous Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Here, one can find an excellent collection of Tiger, Antelopes, Lion Tailed Macaque, over 100 species of butterflies and 400 species of birds. Accessibility : A 133kms drive from Coimbatore via Palakkad takes one to the sanctuary. Coimbatore is located in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and is well connected by air, rail and road. Palakkad is also well connected by rail and road and is only 78kms from the sanctuary. Accommodation : A Forest Rest House is available inside the sanctuary and there are standard Hotels in Palakkad. Season : November to J...

  SHENDURUNY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY In the Pathanapuram taluk of Kollam district, around the 26 sq km artificial lake created by the Parappar Dam across the Shenduruny and Kulathupuzha rivers and spreading over 100 sq km of hilly terrain, exist the semi-evergreen and mixed deciduous forests of Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary. It has also become an important archaeological site after excavations revealed the presence of a bustling human civilization in the area that dates back to 5200BC. The wildlife population of the Park consists of Elephants, Tigers, Leopards, Wild Boar, Sambar, Chital, Macaques and Langoors. Accessibility : The sanctuary is about a 65kms drive away from Kollam, which is well connected by road and rail. Thiruvanthapuram is only 72kms south of Kollam. Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses are available within the sanctuary. One can also stay in standard hotels and resorts at Kollam. Season : November to June.