The park was created around a reservoir formed by the construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam in 1895.
It is one of the few places in India where visitors can traverse the jungle on foot alongside trained tribal trackers.
The reserve is an important catchment area for two major Kerala rivers, the Periyar and the Pamba.
The landscape includes unique 'grassland-shola' mosaics typical of the high-altitude Western Ghats.
The park provides a habitat for the rare Nilgiri tahr, which is typically found on rocky cliff faces.
The sanctuary was formally designated as a Project Tiger reserve in 1978.
Several endemic plant species in the park, such as the Periyar pepper, are wild relatives of commercial crops.
The park serves as a corridor for elephant migration between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Periyar National Park is a protected wildlife reserve nestled in the Cardamom and Pandalam hills of the Western Ghats in Kerala. It functions as both a tiger reserve and an elephant sanctuary, centered around the 26-square-kilometer man-made Periyar Lake. The reserve spans 925 square kilometers, with 350 square kilometers serving as a strictly protected core zone. Its ecosystem primarily consists of tropical evergreen and moist deciduous forests, home to the endangered lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri langur. The reserve is notable for its community-based ecotourism model, managed by local former poachers turned forest guards. Wildlife spotting often occurs via boat cruises on the lake, which provide views of herds bathing along the shoreline. The park also hosts a significant population of sambar deer, gaur, and over 260 species of birds.
The observation decks overlooking the reservoir offer the most expansive views for landscape and wildlife photography.
Book boat cruise tickets online in advance, as they frequently sell out during peak tourist periods.
Wear muted, earth-toned clothing to avoid startling wildlife, which often possesses keen eyesight.
Bring binoculars, as the dense canopy makes spotting fauna at a distance challenging.
Do not wear bright colors or use strong perfumes, as these can disturb the animals and obscure your chances of wildlife sightings.
Maintain silence during forest activities, avoid littering, and keep a respectful distance from all wild animals.
