The Kannimara Teak, located within the reserve, is over 450 years old and has a girth of nearly 7 meters.
The reserve is home to the Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar, and Mala Malasar indigenous tribes who assist in conservation efforts.
It houses the Thunakadavu, Peruvaripallam, and Parambikulam dams, which together create a large catchment area for wildlife.
The sanctuary is a designated part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It contains a specialized bamboo rafting program on the reservoir to minimize disturbance to land-based fauna.
The tiger population is managed under the Project Tiger initiative to ensure genetic viability within the Southern Western Ghats.
The forest type transitions from moist deciduous at lower elevations to montane shola-grasslands at higher altitudes.
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is a protected area in the Nelliampathy-Anamalai landscape of the Western Ghats, spanning 643 square kilometers. It serves as a biodiversity hotspot characterized by a mix of evergreen, deciduous, and shola forests. The reserve is home to significant populations of Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, and the largest population of wild gaur in South India. It is integrated with the Parambikulam Dam, which influences the local microclimate and habitat distribution. Visitors engage in regulated wildlife safaris and trekking activities managed by the forest department. The area is part of a trans-boundary conservation landscape connected to the Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. Flora includes teak, rosewood, and sandalwood, with the Kannimara Teak—one of the oldest and largest living teak trees—located within its boundaries.
The viewing deck overlooking the Parambikulam Dam reservoir.
Book forest department-led safaris well in advance, as private vehicle entry into the core zone is strictly prohibited.
Wear neutral-colored, full-length clothing to protect against leeches and insects during treks.
Carry binoculars and a high-zoom camera, as wildlife sightings are often at significant distances.
Avoid visiting during the peak monsoon season (June to August) when heavy rainfall often leads to the closure of trekking routes and internal roads.
The reserve may be subject to temporary closures during the peak of the monsoon season or due to extreme fire danger warnings in the height of summer.
Strictly follow 'leave no trace' policies; plastic is prohibited inside the reserve. Do not play music or make loud noises during safaris.
