Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary



Chimmini Wild Life Sanctuary is one of the eco-tourism project of Kerala Tourism. Chimmini Wild Life Sanctuary is located at Mukundapuram Taluk of Thrissur District of Kerala state, in India. It is on the Western slopes of the Nelliyampathi hills. It is located along with the neighboring Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary and lies just west of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. The Chimmony river and its tributaries in the forests which are tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen forest and the moist deciduous forests, gives an attraction to the trucking ways of chimmini.

Ecotourism Activities

The nature lovers and bird watchers get a great opportunity to enjoy them while trekking in the wilderness of Chimmini. There are about 160 different species of birds. if lucky one can get a glance of the Southern Birdwing which is the largest butterfly in India, the Blue Mormon which is the second largest butterfly of Western Ghats or the Atlas Moth which is the largest in the world. Some of the animals found here include lion tailed macaque, tiger etc.
Some of the ecotourism activities are
Trekking trail that are organized by the Forest Department. It may be half day trip or one day trip.
Bamboo Rafting – One cam explore the river by going for bamboo rafting and the most exciting is the bamboo rafting on a moon lit night called as the Moonlight Sonata.

Attractions in Chimmini Wild Life Sanctuary

There are so many birds and butterflies here, so this is the most suitable place for trekking and camping. The second largest butterfly in the western ghats- Southern Bird Wing is occur here. The other attractions are lion-tailed macaque(Simhavalan Kurangu). The sanctuary also offers trekking paths for the adventure traveller. Kerala Forest department is the organizer of Trekking here. You can choose trekking for one day, for half day and for 3 hours. There is also journey through bamboo rafts(Mulam Changadam). There are facilities for bamboo rafts which longs for from 2 hours to 1 day. The most interesting one is the bamboo raft with seeing full moon. The bamboo raft journey temporarily discontinued after Thekkady Boat Tragedy. There is also tent Camping in forest which is also known as eco camping. There are two types of camping here: 1500 rs/- for one person and 2,500 Rs- for one person.

Location of Chimmini Wild Life Sanctuary

Thrissur District, Varantharappilly village, Mukuntdapuram Thaloook.
Altitude ranges from 40m at the dam site to 1,116 m above sea level. The highest point is Punda Peak on the eastern side.

Flora
Chimmini sanctuary has a composition of West Coast tropical evergreen forest, West Coast semi-evergreen forest, Southern Indian moist deciduous forest and Leaf shedding forest. Fifty percent of the forests come under moist deciduous category, and 25% under semi-ever green category. West Coast tropical evergreen tree species such as Pali, Punna, Vediplavu, Anjili, Whitepine, Kampakom, White akil, Pathiri etc can be seen in the upper part and trees like Vetti, Thetti, Kara, Narakom, Marotti, Mullilam etc are seen in the lower parts. Semi Evergreen tree species such as Manja Kadambu, Ayani, Elavu, Pongu, White teak, Manimaruthu, Kanakkaitha, Vakkaplavu and Leaf Shedding tress like Thakara, Pala, Padachi, Venga, Puvam, Vedam Korana, Karimarunna, Pilla marunnu, Thani, Irul are seen here. Besides this, rare species of endangered orchids and herbs like Mara Manjal (tree turmeric) and Analivegam can be seen here.

Fauna
Some of the mammals found here are Leopard, Elephant, Bear, Wild Pig, Wild Bison, Tiger etc. Over 110 species of avi fauna have been recorded of which 22 are migrants. Also found are more than 31 different species of local fish varieties, 25 rare species of reptiles, 14 varieties of amphibians including 'Churalaama' (a variety of tortoise) and 100 and odd types butterflies including the Atlas Moth' (world’s largest moths).


How to Reach Chimmini Wild Life Sanctuary

By Road:25 km via Varantharappilly, Palappilly from Amballur Junction on Kochi-Thrissur NH-47 route.
By Rail : Thrissur (37km)
By Air: Kochi(50km)

Best Season to reach Chimminy wildlife sanctuary

The season between December and April is the best to reach Chimminy wildlife sanctuary.

Contact Details of Chimmini Wild Life Sanctuary

Peechi Wild life Sanctuary - Ph: 0487-2699017
DTPC, Thrissur Ph:0487-2320800
himmini Range Office: 0480-2766972
Chimmini Forest Station: 0480-3209234

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