|
::
Idukki - At A Glance |
Area |
: |
5019
sq.km. |
Population |
: |
1,079,369 |
Altitude |
: |
2,200
m above sea level |
Animals |
: |
Elephant,
bison, sambar deer, wild dog, jungle cat, tiger,
wild boar etc. |
Snakes |
: |
Cobra,
viper, krait and a number of non poisonous snakes. |
Birds |
: |
Jungle
fowl, myna, laughing thrush, black bulbul, peafowl,
woodpecker, kingfisher etc. |
|
A
landlocked district , Idukki is one of the most beautiful
districts of Kerala in India. High ranges and wooded
valleys are girded by three rivers - Periyar, Thalayar
and Thodupuzhyar - and their tributaries. The sacred
river Pamba also originates from the mountain ranges
here. As a tourist destination, Idukki is incomparable
- forests, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spices
& plantation tours, mountain treks, elephant rides
and some of the most spectacular landscapes anywhere
in India.
Idukki has a large population of tribals, the main tribes
being Muthuvan, Malayarayan, Mannan, Paliyan, Urali,
Ulladan, Malavedan and Malampandaram. These tribes of
Kerala have unique customs and beliefs and maintain
an ethos which is distinctly different from that of
the mainstream culture. They are unique in their closeness
with nature and relate closely with the dynamic eco-systems
of these beautiful mountain ranges.
Idukki
can also claim its place in the sun in the world of
spices. It was the pepper and cardamom harvested from
these regions which put India on the map of the ancient
world. The tradition endures to this day. Idukki is
today the source of most of the world's spices. The
turn of the century also saw huge tea estates coming
up in Munnar, a hill station about 5000-6000 feet above
sea level. The intrepid British planters wisely used
the local expertise and the tribal knowledge to make
this area a major source of tea in the world. Tata Tea
(makers of Kannan Devan Tea) carries on the tradition
after the departure of the British. Their contribution
to conservation of the fragile Eco-system of this region
has in no small measure helped conservation efforts
by the State Forest Department.
Idukki
is also home to some of the finest forest and wildlife
sanctuaries seen anywhere in India. Project Tiger which
aims at conservation of the tiger in the wild, has been
very effective in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkady).
The endangered Nilgiri Tahr has found a new lease of
life at the Eravikulam National Park, which was instituted
solely with the aim of preservation of this species.
The Chinnar Sanctuary is unique in its flora and fauna.
No trip to this state will be complete without a visit
to these magnificent and well preserved sanctuaries-
perhaps the best preserved in all of India !
|
::
Idukki Arch Dam
This
is the world's second and Asia's first arch dam, constructed
across the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. 550 ft high and
650 ft wide, the dam lies close to the Cheruthorathi
barrage. To its west is the Kulamavu dam. Idukki wild
life sanctuary is located nearby. |
|
|