The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is bounded by the protected areas of Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu
Spread across 345sq km of land, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is split into two parts – Upper and Lower Wayanad – by eucalyptus and bamboo trees grown here. As these plantations stand amidst a vast forest, animals often enter them and the human settlements in the area, for food.
There are 96 human settlements in the 345sq km sanctuary and foraying tigers have been creating a scare in the region. In February 2003, a violent clash had taken place between police and the villagers, following a state government initiative to free the forest of humans. The villagers had protested that promises made to rehabilitate them were never fulfilled. As a result, the settlements grew in number and today, forest guards conduct daily patrol in the sanctuary to locate tigers raiding villages.
ORIENTATION
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Wayanad District, in the Western Ghats. The district has three main towns – Sultan Bathery, Kalpetta and Mananthavady.
Sulthan Bathery is considered the headquarters of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The Upper Wayanad Sanctuary or Tholpetty is 70km from Sulthan Bathery, while the Lower Wayanad Sanctuary or Muthanga is 15km away. Tholpetty can also be accessed from Mananthavady, which is 25km away.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
The only attraction of this sanctuary is wildlife spotting. They are best done just after sunset or just before sunrise. Prior permission from the forest department is mandatory, and one must always hire a local guide.
The Drive
In the course of a day-long drive, you can expect to see elephants, gaur and deer in large numbers. If you are lucky, a tiger or leopard might also cross your way. The sanctuary is also home to panthers, jungle cats, Indian civets, monkeys, wild dogs, bisons, deer, bears, monitor lizards and a variety of snakes. One thing to bear in mind is that elephants in the Wayanad forests are more temperamental than their counterparts in other sanctuaries. Experts say that this is because of human-animal conflicts that are common in these forests. It is particularly important, therefore, to observe the rules strictly while you are in the forest. Wear dull-coloured clothes, maintain silence and never get off your vehicle.
You can either bring your own vehicles or sign up for jeep safaris, arranged by the forest department. Private jeeps can be hired at Muthanga and Tholpetty checkposts, and also at Sulthan Bathery (at ₹500 per trip).
◆ Entry Indians ₹110; Foreigners ₹300 Timings 6.00–10.00am; 3.00–6.00pm Jeep Safari ₹300 Vehicle entry fee ₹75 Guide fee ₹180 per hour Photo-graphy Still ₹38; Video ₹225
Birdwatching
The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a paradise for birdwatching. You can spot a variety of them around the inspection bungalows itself. A short walk in any direction from here will lead you to many more.
The forest is home to the crested-hawk eagle, king vulture, crested serpent eagle, Malabar grey hornbill, Malabar lark, Bonellis’ eagle, Tytler’s leaf warbler, Nilgiri pipit, orange flycatcher, jungle bush quail, black-chinned laughing thrush and white-bellied shortwing amongst others. Do not forget to carry your camera and binoculars.
Outside the sanctuary, in Kalpetta, is Pookate lake (8km) and Chembra Peak (14km). There are a few waterfalls on the way to Kalpetta, which provide a perfect setting for photography.
WHERE TO STAY AND EAT
The inspection bungalows are the only option for stay within the sanctuary, but you can choose from a variety of options available in the nearby towns. For Tholpetty Wildlife Range, stay at Mananthavady and for Muthanga, stay in Sulthan Bathery.
Inside the sanctuary
The Forest Wood House (Tel: 04935- 250853; Tariff: ₹1,500) at Tholpetty, and the Forest Wood House (Tel: 220454; Tariff: ₹1,500) at Muthanga, are known as serambi, which means verandah in Malayalam. And the two-storeyed serambi is indeed, just a building with one large room upstairs and one small room below, each with a spacious verandah.
A wooden staircase provides access to the top floor. There is no electricity or running water, but one can make do with candles. Prior permission must be obtained from the Wildlife Warden, Sulthan Bathery Division (Tel: 04936-220454) to stay in these places. Remember too that these bungalows are meant to accommodate touring forest officials on duty. So if one of them arrives unannounced, you will have to vacate the room, even if you had the reservation. The watchman cooks simple food for a small fee. There are basic eateries near the checkpost. The forest department also runs a dormitory (188 beds, ₹30) at Muthanga.
In Mananthavady
Pachyderm Palace (Cell: 09847044688; Tariff: ₹3,000–4,500, with meals) is located opposite the entrance gate at Tholpetty. It has five rooms and a multi-cuisine restaurant. It also arranges safaris and trekking.
Manasa Saras Elite Tourist Home (Tel: 04935-240236, 240408/ 09; Tariff: ₹1,000–1,500) is an old establishment with nine rooms. It is located half a kilometre from Mananthavady on the Thalassery Road.
In Sulthan Bathery
Orchid Resort (Tel: 04936-262844, Cell: 09447160510; Tariff: ₹3,900–9,100) is located 12km from Sulthan Bathery, off NH212 en route to Muthanga. It’s an eco-friendly resort with eight rooms, six cottages, a tree house, a restaurant, a swimming pool and an amusement park.
Edakkal Hermitage (Tel: 221860/ 178, Cell: 09847001491; Tariff: ₹4,950), near the Edakkal Caves, offers seven cottages, tent, restaurant and plenty of sightseeing. Isaacs Hotel (Tel: 220510/ 11; Tariff: ₹1,500–2,800) has rooms with TV, a restaurant, a beer parlour and a coffee shop. It also organises safaris and car rentals.
Restaurants in Sulthan Bathery serve good food. Jubilee Restaurant (Tel: 220245) on NH212 is pocket friendly and quite popular.
GETTING THERE
State Kerala
Location In the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Distance The Upper Wayanad Sanctuary (Tholpetty) is 25km NE of Mananthavady, 129km NE of Kozhikode, 115km SW of Mysore; Lower Wayanad Sanctuary (Muthanga) is 15km E of Sulthan Bathery, 94km SW of Mysore and 125km NE of Kozhikode
Route from Kozhikode to Upper Wayanad Sanctuary NH212 to Kalpetta; SH to Kartikulam via Mananthavady; district road to Tholpetty Route from Kalpetta to Lower Wayanad Sanctuary NH212 to sanctuary via Sulthan Bathery Route from Bengaluru SH to Mysore via Maddur and Mandya; NH212 to Sulthan Bathery via Gundlupet
Air Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode (125 km/ 3.5hrs to Sulthan Bathery/ Mananthavady). Taxi costs Rs. 10–12 per km
Rail Nearest railhead: Kozhikode (100km/ 3hrs)
Road Frequent deluxe (fare ₹150) and express (fare ₹180) buses connect Kozhikode to Kalpetta, Sulthan Bathery and Thirunelly
FAST FACTS
When to go The sanctuary is open all year round, except in the monsoon season (April–September). Best sightings are from December–February
Wildlife/ Forest Dept offices
Phanindra Kumar Rao
Wildlife Warden
Wayanad Wildlife Division
Sulthan Bathery. Tel: 04936-220454
Cell: 09447979105
Deputy Conservator of Forests
Upper Wayanad WLS
Mananthavady
Tel: 04935-240233, 220455
Cell: 09447979074
STD codes Sulthan Bathery 04936, Mananthavady and Tholpetty 04935
Kerala
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
wildlife
