Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary is located on the Munnar-Udumalpet road in one of the most picturesque districts of Kerala –Idukki. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984, it has an area of 91 sq. km and lies in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats. With an altitude that ranges from 400 m at Chinnar to 2144 m at Mottakkumalai, the undulated terrain with rocky patches add to the scenic splendor of the sanctuary.
The forest vegetation also has a wide diversity from thorny scrub forests, dry deciduous forests, high sholas and wet grasslands. And, Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary is a treasure trove of various kinds of fauna: 13 fresh water fishes, 52 reptiles and 15 amphibians have been sighted.
The dry open scrub forests of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary provide an excellent habitat for a wide variety of mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles and others. Chinnar has the only population of Grizzled Giant Squirrel in Kerala. The Chinnar plains have large congregations of wild gaur, spotted deer and sambar. Tigers are present as are leopards. Experience trackers will indicate big cat markings, making trekking trails truly an unforgettable experience.
