IDUKKI: While the tiger population has declined drastically in the Wayanad region, it is increasing in Periyar Tiger Reserve. About 10 more tigers have been found in the region in the last four years. At present, there are 40-45 tigers in the sanctuary. The number of tigers in the sanctuary was 35 four years ago.

As per the new census report, Thekkady Periyar Sanctuary has won the national award for the best tiger sanctuary in the country for the third time in a row. Periyar came first beating Madhya Pradesh's Satpura Tiger Reserve and Karnataka's Bandipur. Periyar scored 94.38 percent in Management Effective Evaluation (MEE).

Periyar Sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. It is one of the 50 tiger reserves in India. The sanctuary, with an area of ​​777.54 sq km in the Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts, is also an Elephant Conservation Project area.

Sabarimala and the Mangaladevi Temple are within the Periyar Tiger Sanctuary.

Periyar Tiger Reserve

Tigers 40-45

62 types of mammals

45 types of reptiles

326 species of birds

Tiger @ 310 kg

An adult male tiger weighs 310 kg. Female tigresses can weigh up to 170 kg. After birth, the baby will walk with the mother for two years. It will start to stay away from its mother after that.