About Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary (IWL):
- IWL, which came into existence in 1976, is located in the Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola taluks in Idukki District, Kerala.
- It covers 77 sq.km. of forests surrounding the Idukki Arch Dam.
- The terrain of the sanctuary is characterized by steep mountains, valleys, and hills.
- Altitude: Altitude ranging from 450 to 1272 m. The highest peak is Vanjur Medu (1272 m).
- Drainage: The major rivers flowing through the area are Periyar and Cheruthoniar. The sanctuary consists of 33 sq.km. of waterbody of Idukki reservoir.
- Rainfall: Average rainfall is 3800 mm.
- Vegetation: West Coast Tropical Evergreen forests, Semi Evergreen forests, Moist Deciduous Forests, Hill shoals and Grasslands.
- Flora: Forests are essentially dense teak, rosewood, jackfruit, ebony, cinnamon, and diverse bamboo species.
- Fauna:
- It is home to Elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild dogs, tigers, wild boar etc apart from various species of snakes including cobra, viper, krait, etc.
- Birds include jungle fowl, myna, laughing thrush, black bulbul, peafowl, woodpecker, kingfisher, etc.
- It is home to the endangered species of the Nilgiri Tahr.
