Wildlife
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
ആറളം വന്യജീവി സങ്കേതം
Aralam, Iritty · 55 km from Kannur
Photo: Nativeplants garden · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Kerala's northernmost sanctuary: 55 sq km of evergreen forest, elephants, and the annual butterfly migration in Dec–Jan.
Aralam, on the slopes of the Western Ghats near Iritty, protects tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forest that is home to elephants, gaur, sambar, Malabar giant squirrels and over 250 bird species. Every December–January millions of butterflies migrate through the sanctuary, drawing naturalists from across India. Trekking and jeep safaris require Forest Department permits.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Timings
8 am – 5 pm with permit
Entry
Forest Dept. fees
Best time
November to March
Managed by
Kerala Forest Dept.
How to reach
55 km east of Kannur via Mattannur – Iritty (Kannur airport is 30 km). Forest office at Valayanchal.
Photos
Photo: Nativeplants garden · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Nativeplants garden · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Nativeplants garden · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Nativeplants garden · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
