The very sound of the name conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. Here, in the crisp, cool air of the Western Ghats you will experience the most enchanting holiday. With the animals of the wild and the simple unsophisticated mountain people. In the Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.

ACCESSING THEKKADY

Telephone access code: + + 91 - 4869

Air: Nearest Airport: Madurai - 140 Km - 190 Km, Thiruvananthapuram - 265 Km, Kozkikode 315 Km, Chennai - 570 Km.

Rail: Nearest Railway station: Theni - 60 Km, Kottayam - 114 Km, Changanassery - 114 Km, Madurai - 140km.

Road: There are frequent buse from Kumily (4 km away) to various tourist centers.

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Entry: 0600 to 1800 hrs): Lying close to the plantations in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread across 777 sq. km, of which 360sq. km is thick evergreen forests, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve attracts visitors from all over the world.
The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attractions of Periyar, however, are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.

THINGS TO DO IN THEKKADY/PERIYAR

Plantation tours: Tours cover cardamom, pepper, coffee and tea plantations, tea factories, tribal settlements and the surrounding hill regions.

Elephant Rides: The Forest Department, Thekkady offers facility for elephant rides through the jungle. Time: 1000 to 1700 hrs. Duration of a trip: 30 minutes.

Trekking: Main Trekking areas in Thekkady: *Kurisumala near Kumily* Pullumedu * Ottakathalamedu: 5 km from Kumily * grampi near Vandiperiyar
The forest Department conducts daily treks from the boat landing station at Thekkady to the Nellikkampetty area and Manakkavala.

Boat cruises on the Periyar Lake:The forest Department and the Kerala Tourism development Corporation Ltd. conduct boating trips from Thekkady.

WILDLIFE POPULATION IN THE PERIYAR SANCTUARY

Flora: The Reserve is home to 1965 flowering plants including 171 species of grass and 143 species of orchids. The only South Indian conifer Podocarpus wallichianus and the rare orchid Habeneria periyancis also belong here.

Faunna: Mammals: 35 species including the wild elephant. gaur, sambar deer and wild boar can be sighted from the boats. The endangered lion tailed macaques are confined to the evergreen interiors. Bonnet macaques, Malabar giant squirrels, flying squirrels, tigers, jungle cats, sloth bears etc. are the other inhabitants.

Birds: There are over 265 species of birds here including migrants. Hornbills, storks, woodpeckers, kingfishers, raptors, cormorants, grackles and darters are a common sight.

Reptiles: Poisonous snakes like cobras, vipers, kraits and a number of non poisonous snakes form the ophio fauna of the Periyar Reserve. monitor lizards are also frequently sighted in the forests.

Amphibians: Frogs, toads,limbless caecilians including the colourful Malabar glidings frogs, common Indian toads, fungoid frogs and bicoloured frogs.

Pisces: The Periyar lake and stream are rich with several species of fish including the masheer, the famous and endangered game fish of India. The otter, the only mammal of the lake is a frequent sight from the boat.

THE SPICES OF THEKKADY

Over twelve varieties of spices, including ginger and garlic are cultivated in Thekkady and its neighboring villages.

Cardamom: Scientific name: Elletteria cardamom. Best altitude for cultivation: 1500m above sea level. Temperature: 100C - 250C. Rainful required: 1500 mm. Propagation: Seedings and vegetative propagation. Pollinating agent: The honey bee. Harvest season: October to February.
A Cardamom plant normally starts bearing capsules from the third year of planting. The harvested capsules are rubbed on wire mesh and polished before they are graded and stored in polythene-gunny bags to retain the green color and to avoid exposure to moisture.

Vanilla: Scientific name; Vanilla fragrance, Rain full required; 1500 - 3000 mm. Propagation: Shoot cutting. Pollination: Artificial. The rostellum of the flower is pushed back with a pointed bamboo splinter and the overhanging anther is pressed against the stigma with the thumb, thus smearing pollen over it. The ideal time for pollination is 0600 to 1300 hrs.
A tropical orchid that requires a warm climate with frequent rains, Vanilla grows best in uncleared jungle areas where it can get filtered sunlight. A creeper, the plant requires support up to a height of about 135 cm. The plant usually begins to flower by the third year. The bean takes 10 to 12 months to reach full maturity.

Pepper: Scientifid name: Piper nigrum. Temperature: Tolerance - 100C to 400C. Optimum - 200C to 300C. Rainfall required: 2500 mm. Propagation: Stem Cutting. Important varieties: Panniyur - 1, Kaimunda, Kuthiravalli, Arakkulam Munda, Balankotta and Kalluvally.
The pepper plant grows best in a warm and humid climate. Berries mature and are ready for harvest in about 180 to 200 days. Black pepper is produced by sun-drying the mature pepper berries for 3 - 5 days after they are separated from spikes by threshing; and white pepper by retting mature berries in clean water for 5 - 7 days, removing the outer skin and drying the seed after through washing.

Clove: Scientific name: Eugenia caryophyllus. Clove trees begin to bear flowers 7 - 8 years after planting. Unopened flower buds are carefully hand-picked when they turn from green to pink. The buds are then allowed to dry for 4 - 5 days till the become crisp and dark brown in colour.

Cinnamon: Scientific name: Cinnamon zeylanicum. Cinnamon plants are ready for harvest about three years after planting. Harvesting is done twice a year - in May and November. The bark of the cut down shoots is split on the day of harvest itself and dried in the sun for 2 - 5 days. The dry quills or bark are packed in bundles for trade. Leaves and tender twigs are used for extraction of oil by distillation.

Nutmeg: scientific name: Myristica fragrans. The Nutmeg tree bears fruit throughout the year, but peak the harvest season is from December to May. The nuts split open when the fruits are fully ripe. After dehusking, the red feathery aril (mace) is removed, flattened out and dried in the sun for 10 - 15 days. The nuts are dried separately for 4 - 8 weeks till the kernels rattle within the shells.