Alphabravodevelopmentreview at 03:41, 23 February 2026

2026-02-23T03:41:34Z

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{{Short description|Wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary
| alt_name =
| iucn_category = IV
| map = India Tamil Nadu#India
| relief = 1
| mapframe = Yes
| coordinates = {{coord|10|23|N|77|48|E|display=inline,title}}
| image = File:Nilgiri pipit from Perumalmalai peak, Kodaikanal Wildlife Sactuary.jpg
| image_caption = [[Nilgiri pipit]] in Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary
| mapframe-zoom = 9
| location = [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| nearest_city = [[Kodaikanal]]
| area = {{cvt|608.95|km2}}
| established = 20 September 2013
| governing_body = [[Tamil Nadu Forest Department]]
| website =
}}

'''Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary''' is a [[List of wildlife sanctuaries of India|wildlife sanctuary]] located near [[Kodaikanal]] in [[Dindigul district]] of the Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. The sanctuary was created in 2013 to preserve the biodiversity and various species endemic to the [[Western Ghats]] region, which is recognised as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.

== Geography ==
The sanctuary covers an area of {{cvt|608.95|km2}} in the [[Palani Hills]] of the [[Western Ghats]] and is located in [[Dindigul district]] of the Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref name="Compendium">{{cite report|url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-04/9%20Compendium%20Book_2021_Low%20%281%29%20%282%29.pdf|title=National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India|work=[[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]], [[Government of India]]|date=November 2021|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref> It was declared as a protected area in 2013 and spans across a diverse landscape with forests, grasslands, and various riverine ecosystems.<ref name="FL">{{cite web|title=A Sanctuary and Many Challenges|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/environment/conservation/a-sanctuary-and-many-challenges/article7809257.ece/|work=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]|date=23 October 2015|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://wii.gov.in/eia/wildlife_database/tamilnadu|title=Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu|work=[[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]], [[Government of India]]|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref>

== Flora and Fauna ==
The sanctuary was created to preserve the biodiversity and various species endemic to the Western Ghats region, which is recognised as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Boost for Wildlife |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/a-boost-for-wildlife/article5176592.ece/|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=27 September 2013|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=4 October 2013|title=Kodai Sanctuary, a safe haven for animals|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/kodai-sanctuary-a-safe-haven-for-animals/articleshow/23479739.cms|access-date=1 June 2024|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The vegetation consists of a mix of [[dry deciduous forest|dry deciduous]], [[evergreen forests]], [[grasslands]] interspersed with [[shola]]s. The sanctuary is home to a wide variety of plant species, including many species endemic to this region such as ''Ceropegia thwaitesii'', ''Sonerila pulneyensis'', ''Hoya wightii'', ''Plectanthus bourneate'', and ''Aeschnanthus perrottetii''.<ref name="Compendium"/>

The sanctuary provides habitat to a range of animal species such as [[Indian bison]], [[leopard]], [[sloth bear]], [[Bengal tiger]], [[Indian elephant]], [[Nilgiri tahr]], [[grizzled giant squirrel]], and various species of deer, wild boar and reptiles.<ref name="Compendium"/><ref name="Gaur">{{cite news|title=Indian Gaur Flourishing in Kodaikanal Sanctuary|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/100317/indian-gaur-flourishing-in-kodaikanal-sanctuary.html|newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=10 March 2017|access-date=1 November 2024}}</ref> Avifauna include [[Nilgiri marten]], [[blue-faced malkoha]], [[stork-billed kingfisher]], [[black-rumped flameback]], [[white-browed bulbul]], [[tawny-bellied babbler]], [[pale-billed flowerpecker]], [[crested honey buzzard|honey buzzard]], [[Indian eagle-owl]], [[Malabar trogon]], and [[Nilgiri flycatcher]].<ref name="Compendium"/>

== Tourism and conservation ==
[[File:Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary- Pillar Rocks-WUS05114.jpg|thumb|Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary]]
The sanctuary is managed by the [[Tamil Nadu Forest Department]], with the primary goals of protecting the unique ecosystem, ensuring sustainable practices, and managing the natural resources. Conservation efforts include anti-poaching measures, awareness programs, and habitat restoration projects.<ref name="FL"/> The sanctuary offers limited access to tourism activities such as trekking, guided safaris, and bird watching. Some of the popular spots in and around the sanctuary include [[Berijam Lake]], silent valley view, and the [[pine]] forests.<ref name="Gaur"/> In 2017, a tree walk facility was proposed at the sanctuary to promote environmental education and allow visitors to learn about the sanctuary's flora in a guided setting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tree Walk Facility Proposed at Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/221117/tree-walk-facility-proposed-at-kodaikanal-wildlife-sanctuary.html |newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=22 November 2017|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

{{Protected areas of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Western Ghats}}

[[Category:2013 establishments in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Dindigul district]]
[[Category:Kodaikanal]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 2013]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries of the Western Ghats]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu]]

Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

Alphabravodevelopmentreview at 03:41, 23 February 2026