https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Walking On A Tiger Trail In Periyar

Indian Masterminds Special on the eve of the Global Tiger Day 2023 Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala allows visitors to walk and camp deep inside the forest, where they can breathe and feel nature One can follow tigers on their trails, seeing fresh pug marks and picking up the wafting scent of the big cats
Indian Masterminds Stories

Kerala’s Periyar Tiger Reserve has managed to seamlessly blend nature and tourism together. The USP of the Tiger Reserve is – why be just close to nature, when you can live in nature. And, in its implementation, community-based eco-tourism forms an integral part of the ethos of this spectacular 777 sq km stretch of greenery in the southern region of the Western Ghats, which gets its name from the river Periyar.

For any nature lover, it is a nothing less than ‘paradise’ with an exquisite collection of flora and fauna thriving in a favourable climate, making it one of the most popular tourist spots in Kerala. Located in Thekkady, both the wildlife tourist and the nature lover visit the Tiger Reserve for moving deep into the forest on foot and camping amidst nature and beautiful wildlife, including the elusive tiger.

Indian Masterminds spoke to Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Periyar Tiger Reserve, Mr. Pramod PP, an IFS officer of 2006 batch, to get more details of the ‘best managed tiger reserve in India’.

Tourists hiking on a trail

TIGER TRAIL

Periyar Tiger Trail is a highly in demand community based ecotourism programme of the Reserve. “It is a trekking and camping programme where you can also stay inside your tent and listen to the sounds of the wilderness in solitude,” Mr. Pramod said.

This guided day and night trek traverses a distance of 20-35 km and the trekkers later camp in tents inside the forest. A group includes a maximum of 6 persons who stay in lakeside tents that can accommodate 3 persons each. No vehicles are used in the Trail, except for an eco-friendly bamboo raft, used for crossing the Periyar Lake. The programme is managed by the Ex-Vayana Bark Collectors Eco-Development Committee.

“The idea was conceptualized to provide an alternate livelihood for the ex-poachers who were involved in vayana bark collection and poaching. The package starts from the Ex-vayana EDC office near a check post and treks to reach the base camp at Nellikkampetty. However, sighting of tiger is left to chance as the forest type is evergreen and semi-evergreen, thereby limiting the visibility of tigers even though they may be present nearby,” Mr. Pramod explained.

A Periyar tiger basking in the sun

TIGER CONSERVATION

The last tiger estimation in 2018 identified 26 individual tigers in the Reserve, based on camera trap method of estimation. To protect them, anti-poaching camp sheds are manned 24×7 by the frontline staff. The camps are equipped with arms and ammunition, GPS, etc. The staff perambulate the section every day and record direct and indirect evidences of tiger and other species. The tiger kills and sightings are entered in the sighting register and also communicated on a daily basis to the Tiger Control Base Station at the Headquarters in Thekkady.

At the same time, the local tribal population living on the fringes is also being actively engaged in conservation. Mr. Pramod said, “We are managing the Park with the help of the local community. Major thrust is on conservation and protection. Within that, we are exploring possibilities of ecotourism activities, that too with support of local communities. The Sabarimala Pilgrimage also plays an important role in conservation, human-wildlife conflict management, and supports livelihoods for Eco-Development Committees, during the season.”

A nature walk in progress

NATURE TRAILS

Other than the famed tiger trail, the Reserve has charted out various other trails for nature lovers, like the Nature Walk, Green Walk, Jungle Scout and Border Hiking, which are all guided tours with local tribal guides in charge.

Nature Walk: This trek provides an opportunity for watching birds, butterflies and wildlife. The walk comprises of a host of trails traversing through a mosaic of habitats of the reserve. A walk through the trail which winds its way through the landscape comprising of moist deciduous and evergreen forests interspersed with marshy grasslands offers a rare opportunity to witness the many splendours of nature.

Green Walk: This trek lasts for two-and-half hours and traverses a distance of 4-5 km. It is an interpretive sandal protection trekking programme offering excellent opportunity to observe birds, butterflies and other wildlife through a range of habitats during the 3-hours walk. This programme is offered between 7 am to 3 pm in different nature trails inside the Park. A maximum of 5 persons can go for trekking at a time along each trail accompanied by a trained tribal guide.

Night trek

Jungle Scout: This eco-tourism package is a regular guided night trekking programme in the periphery of the eco-development zone of the tiger reserve, in the company of armed guards. The programme starts at 19.00 hrs and ends at 04.00 hrs and allows one to explore the serene stretch at night.

Border Hiking: This is a day-long hiking programme within the Reserve. The undulating terrains and altitudinal hiking of 900 m to 1300 m gives a glimpse of the lofty slopes bordering the region. Gaur, sloth bear and elephants are often sighted apart from birds and butterflies from here. A maximum of 10 trekkers in 2 different groups with two guides starts at 08.00 hrs and ends in the evening.

Hikers taking in the view from a higher region

BEST MANAGED TIGER RESERVE

Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) is carried out every 4 years in India for all tiger reserves. The evaluation is carried out based on 54 parameters pertaining to management of the Reserves. The MEE Committee visited Periyar TR and evaluated the documents and the field visits regarding its management.

Mr. Pramod said that Periyar TR was assessed in criteria in all aspects, such as tiger monitoring, community participation, protection and perambulation, human-wildlife conflict management, utilization of funds, activities of Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation, training and capacity building, research and monitoring, community-based ecotourism programmes, staff strength, biodiversity documentation, infrastructures and vehicles, habitat management, and was found to be the best managed Reserve in all aspects.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
ias-ravi-sihag-biography
Why Is Hindi Medium UPSC CSE-2021 Topper IAS Ravi Sihag Under Investigation Over EWS Certificate? Explained
D Shilpa IPS
Kerala HC Orders IPS Officer D Shilpa’s Inclusion in Karnataka Cadre After Cadre Allocation Error - Know More!
Himachal Pradesh Police1
Himachal DGP Disc Award List Withdrawn Hours After Announcement Amid Leadership Transition
MP Police
MP Police Shake-Up: 10 IPS Officers Transferred, CM Mohan Yadav Acts Swiftly After Public Incidents
IRSSE (Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers) officer
IRSSE Gaurav Govil Debarred from Central Deputation for 5 Years Over Non-Compliance with CVO Appointment
Delhi High Court-resized-DelhiHC
Faith vs Discipline: Delhi HC Backs Army in Termination of Officer, Upholds Dismissal For Refusing Religious Parade Participation
IRS Officer Indian revenue Services
Senior IRS Officer Caught in Bribery Case: ₹25 Lakh Seized at Mohali Residence, ₹45 Lakh Demanded – Know the Full Story
PNB Housing Finanace
PNB Housing Finance Elevates Bhavya Taneja as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) - Know More About Him
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
From Gwalior to the Top 20: What Drove Finance Pro Madhav Agarwal to Crack UPSC CSE 2024 with AIR 16? | Exclusive
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-28 at 18.56
Didn’t Clear UPSC But Found Something Greater: A Story That Will Change How You See Success
She left a top finance job for UPSC, did not clear but built a thriving wellness brand instead. Veda's...
Social Media
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
UPSC Latest IAS IPS IFS
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Tomorrow: ICLS Officer Altap Shaikh Shares Last-Minute Motivation for Aspirants
His five-post thread offers encouragement, practical advice, and emotional support - not just for those...
Anupam Sharma IFS
#BoycottTurkey: IFS Officer Anupam Sharma Sparks Nationalist Call to Action
IFS Sharma urged citizens to avoid Turkish agricultural imports
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
ias-ravi-sihag-biography
Why Is Hindi Medium UPSC CSE-2021 Topper IAS Ravi Sihag Under Investigation Over EWS Certificate? Explained
D Shilpa IPS
Kerala HC Orders IPS Officer D Shilpa’s Inclusion in Karnataka Cadre After Cadre Allocation Error - Know More!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT