Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is the northernmost wildlife sanctuary situated in Kannur District, Kerala. It is at the northwestern slopes of Western Ghats.
Malabar Giant Squirrel ( Photo courtesy – Biju P. John, Ettumanoor )
Brief History of Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
Aralam Wild Life Sanctuary was established in 1984. It is spread over an area of 55 square kilometers. Aralam Range of protested forests under Aralam wildlife division (an independent wildlife division since 1st July 1998), makes this wildlife statuary. This wildlife park was formed by carving out 32.64 square kilometers of a private forest, which were taken over by the Kerala State Government. Aralam sanctuary is spread over Aralam, Kelakam, and Kottiyoor revenue villages.
The beauty of Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
Cheenkanni Puzha (Cheenkanni river) flows through the southern side of the sanctuary. This river has got crystal clear waters.
Brhahmagiri hills are on the eastern side of the sanctuary. Aralam Farm borders the wildlife sanctuary on the western side of Aralam wildlife sanctuary.
Crossing the suspension bridge near the forest range office across Cheenkanni Puzha is one of the most thrilling experiences for any tourist.
There are hundreds of waterfalls inside this sanctuary, both big and small. Meenmutty Falls is one such magnificent fall (details are given below). Deep inside the forest, accessible by Jeeps (off-road ride), you can see the Cheenkanni Puzha falling from the Koorg forests, making you spellbound for a few minutes.
Flora and Fauna inside Aralam Wild Life Sanctuary
The wildlife sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. More than 1000 species of vegetation is found in this wildlife sanctuary.
16 amphibian species are reported to be found here. 188 bird species are found in the sanctuary. 22 reptile species, along with 39 fish species, are also found in this wildlife sanctuary.
The wildlife sanctuary is a habitat for 23 mammal species. Wild animals of the sanctuary include Tiger, Leopard, Lion-tailed macaque, Bonnet macaque, Indian wild boar, The Indian porcupine, Nilgiri langur, Hanuman langur, Indian pangolin, Common palm civet, Otter, Slender loris, The Gaur, Malabar giant squirrel, Otter, Rat, Indian elephant, Three-striped palm squirrel, Large brown flying squirrel, The Sambar deer, Common mongoose, Mouse deer, Barking deer, and Black napped hare. Predators to the wild animals of the sanctuary are Tigers and Leopards.
Aralam Wild Life Sanctuary is famous among those who research birds and butterflies. There are around 249 butterfly species here. At any time, there are hundreds of people doing such research, including many foreigners. This sanctuary also has one of the largest populations of King Cobras in the world.
Aralam Trekking
Trekking to Ambalappara, which is around 25 kilometers away from Valayamchal, at an altitude of about 1500 meters, is a major adventure sports activity here. Trekking takes a whole day and tourists must stay inside the deep forests, for two nights at Aambalapara Watch Tower. It’s a group trekking for three tourists, accompanied by a guide and security personnel.
Meenmutty Falls inside the Wildlife Sanctuary
Trekking to Meenmutty Falls is another tourist activity/. This waterfall is situated 16 kilometers from Valayamchal. You can also go to the Meenmutty Falls by a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Private Jeep services cost around 1500- 2000 Rupees. The road to this fall is not motor-able for two-wheelers. There are two other waterfalls with the same name in Kerala in Wayanad district and Thiruvananthapuram district.
How Do I Go to Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary?
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Entrance near Iritty Town
The entrance to the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is from the entry gate at around 20 kilometers from Iritty, where the Wildlife Warden’s office is situated. Iritty Town is a municipality and a small town in the Kannur district. Iritty is also called the Coorg Valley, as the area is contiguous to Coorg.
Thalassery railway station is the nearest station at around 70 kilometers from Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. Thalassery, Kannur, Wayanad, and Virajpet are some major nearby cities.
Aralam Wildlife Park Timings
Day visit to the sanctuary is allowed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry permits can be obtained from the Wildlife Warden’s office at Iritty or the Assistant Wildlife Warden’s office at Valayamchal (southwest corner of the sanctuary).
Accommodation at Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
Government Rest House is there at Iritty. There is an Inspection bungalow at Valayamchal, which charges INR 400 per day. Dormitory charges at Valayamchal are Rs 50 per head.
There are hotels in Iritty town. Peravoor is another nearby town with hotels.
Related Article on Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
An ancient rainforest in Kerala teaches us what we’re losing out on in our lonely cities of concrete https://t.co/ZtEr5PrEQH via @scroll_in
— Touristinindia (@touristinindia) February 4, 2018
Other Tourist Places near Kannur
Vayalapra Kayal Park or V-pra Kayal Floating Park or Vayalapra Floating Park
Vayalapra Kayal Park or V-pra Kayal Floating Park is at Vayalapra Parappu, Chembolikkundu, Payangadi, Kannur District. It is on the Vayalapra Kaayal (Vayalapara lake). There are many activities like Zorbing, swimming in the swimming pool, water sports, game zone, etc, for the whole family to spend a day here. It is around 26 kilometers from Kannur town.
Vayalapra Floating Park was opened in 2016. The Kannur District Tourism Promotion Council manages Vayalapra Kayal Park.
Nice Blog. And Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Information. We Are In Coorg We Provide Coorg Sightseeing Packages And Nagarhole National Park Nagarhole Forest – Safari.
Thank you Pradeep for the compliments on the blog.