The Periyar Tiger Reserve exudes great natural charm and encompasses a rich genetic diversity. Sprawled over 777sq. kilometers in the Western Ghat mountain ranges, it is the largest and the best known wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. The Mullaperiyar dam built in 1895 across the river Periyar inundated the valleys forming a large lake of 26 sq. kilometers. In 1950 the areas like Mount plateau and Ratendon valley were added to the periyar lake reserve and it assumed a new identity in the name -Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Periyar was declared a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1978. The notification declaring it as a National Park was issued in 1982. Periyar is also brought under Project Elephant, making it the 10th such reserve.

Over 74 percent of the reserve is composed of tropical evergreen and semi evergreen forests. Thirteen percent of the area has deciduous forest and there is a small percent of grasslands. The mountain folds at the higher elevations support the sholas. The fauna of Periyar is rich and varied. There are sixty two species of mammals which include apart from the tiger such endangered species as the nilgiri langur, lion tailed macaque, slender loris, nilgiri tahr, mouse deer, bison, sambar, leopard, bear, wild boar and elephant. The wide variety of habitats in Periyar support a rich bird life of over three hundred species, of which a third are winter migrants that stay here from September through March. Birds like the oriental darter and cormorant nest on the tree stumps standing in the lake. The endangered great pied hornbill has a sizeable population in Periyar. There are forty three species of reptiles including the monitor lizard, fresh water tortoise and several poisonous and non poisonous snakes. The marine life include thirty eight species of which the Masheer is famous as a game fish.

Boating in the lake offers the best oppurtunity to see wildlife at close quarters. Guided trekking is arranged through the forest. The Eco-development committees offer a variety of community based eco tourism programmes such as nature walk, tiger trail, border hiking, bamboo rafting, jungle patrol, tribal heritage, experimental learning and stays in the Tribal villages inside the jungle, which you will cherish long .