Kannur is a district in the north of Kerala that is known for its scenic beauty and rich culture. While the place is famous for its traditional art forms like Theyyam, it is also known for its evergreen forests and landscapes. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is one such place you should not miss on a trip to Kannur in Kerala!
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is the northernmost wildlife sanctuary in Kerala, and is spread across 55 sq km of forested area on the slopes of the Western Ghats. It is also one of the smallest wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala.
PC: Manojk
Established in 1984, the sanctuary was earlier a private forest that was later taken over by the government. The sanctuary is unique for its eucalyptus and teak plantations. The evergreen area of the sanctuary consists of Vellapine, Mesua Ferrea and other trees, and the semi-evergreen area has trees that include Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Hopea parviflora, Xylia xylocarpa and Mallotus among the rest.
Wildlife Spotted at Aralam Sanctuary
Wildlife enthusiasts must visit this place to have a look at some of the great species of the wild beauties here. You can find elephants, bison, sambar deer, leopards, various types of squirrels, wild cats and tigers here. This is also a great destination for bird watching. Some of the birds found here are the Grey Hornbill, Blue Winged Parakeet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Wood Pigeon and Great Pied Hornbill.
Camping at Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
An overnight stay at the forest watchtower would be one of the best ways to experience night life amidst nature. From here you can spot several of the animals from the 23 species of mammals, 188 species of birds and around 22 species of reptiles found here.
PC: Jeevan Jose
Best Time to Visit Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
October to June is the best time to visit the sanctuary. The weather is mild and pleasant during these months. The monsoon sets in from June, making it hard to travel here in the rain. Another interesting fact is that the months of November and December are the best to watch a huge variety of butterflies.
How to Reach Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary is located at around 45 km from Kannur and Thalassery. The nearest railway station is at Thalassery and the nearest airport is at Kozhikode which is 113 km away from Kannur.