Wildlife Sanctuary in Coimbatore

The beautiful city of Coimbatore is well known not only for its industries but for its flora and fauna and wildlife. The city is blessed with rich bio-diversity and the salubrious climate of the destination is loved by the nature enthusiasts and travellers. Coimbatore and its surrounding areas near Western Ghats are considered to be the treasure land for most of the tourists as the region boasts of flora and fauna. It is important to know that the Coimbatore Forest Division forms a compact and continuous block lying in the north-western part of the Coimbatore district. The forests of Coimbatore are mainly responsible for the green landscape, cool weather and clean air. If you are really interested to experience some thrilling moments, then step into wildlife sanctuary in Coimbatore with your friends and family.

Situated in the Western Ghats near Pollachi, the Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest and well preserved sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu. Also, this popular wildlife sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 1,400 metres in the Western Ghats. Recently, the sanctuary was renamed as the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary which has been extended in the total area of 1000 sq km. Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary holds priceless fauna and flora in the city.

Few reports have estimated that the floral diversity in this sanctuary has over 2000 species in which 200 species contain medicinal value. Apart from its rich diversity of trees, the sanctuary has 100 species of orchids, ferns, palms, grasses, etc. The forest types of this region include tropical wet evergreen forest, Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest, Dry Savannah Forest, Southern Bamboo Forest and much more.

Further, the wildlife sanctuary supports large number of faunal population and some of the animals exist in the region include elephant, spotted deer, Sambar, mouse deer, Nilgiris Langur, Malabar Giant squirrel, Civet, Porcupine, Jackal, Wild dog, lion tailed macaque. This large wildlife sanctuary has a reservoir named as Amaravathi in which lot of crocodiles can be found. The Annamalai Tiger Reserve is considered to be the major biodiversity hotspots with six tribes living in the region. The indigenous groups that live in the destination are Kaadars, Malasars, Pulaiyars, Malai Malasars and Mudhuvars.

Around 250 species of birds are identified in the park that includes jungle fowl, spurfowl, Indian peafowl, barbets, drongos, fish eagle, kingfishers, falcons, owls, kits and nightjars.  Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary offers a wide range of tourist attraction spots enabling the tourists to experience the scenic beauty in a pleasant environment. Some of the nearby locations include Grass Hills, groves, Karianshola, teak forests, dams and reservoirs. If you are planning to travel to wildlife sanctuary in Coimbatore, then you need to carry dull-colored clothes, cotton socks, torch, leech lotions, anti-sunscreen and headgear.

Area
Wildlife Sanctuary - 958 sq.km.
National Park - 117.10 sq.km.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is from December to April. 
Nearest Airport: Coimbatore, 75 kms away
Nearest railway station: Pollachi, 35 kms away

The Steering Committee of Project Tiger has approved the Project Tiger of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in the year of 2008. For this project, a cost of Rs 235.47 lakhs has been approved by the National Tiger Conservation Authority for construction purposes. Later, the sanctuary was named as Project Tiger Sanctuary in which a large number of tigers are protected in this area.

The elephants were trained and used in Anamalai for timber operations during the earlier period. In 1976, the forest authorities started the elephant camp which became a popular tourist attraction for the tourists and leisure lovers. The elephant camp had 20 kumki elephants and also they conduct annual celebration of Pongal for the elephants. Moreover, the elephant was given banana, sugarcane during the Pongal festival season.

Quick Facts
Established: 1976
Area: 958
Governing Body: Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Administrative Ranges: 6
Major Reservoirs: Parambikulam Reservoir, Aliyur Reservoir, Thirumurthi Reservoir

Address
Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Timber Depot
Meenkarai Road
Pollachi - 642 001
Phone Number: + 91 4259 25356
Timings: Open 6.30am to 6.30pm