About Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR):
- It is located in Kerala.
- It is set high at Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the Western Ghats, adjacent to the border with Tamil Nadu.
- It surrounds the Periyar Lake, which was created in 1895 by building a dam across the Periyar River.
- Rivers: Two major rivers, namely Periyar and Pamba, drain the area.
- Dams: Mullaperiyar Dam is located within the PTR.
- Tribes: It is home to many tribal communities, including the Mannans and the Palians.
- Vegetation: It mainly comprises tropical evergreen forests, semi- evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, transitional fringe evergreen forests, grasslands, and eucalyptus plantations.
- Flora: It includes Banyan, Sacred Fig, Teak, Royal Poinciana, Kino, Sandalwood, Rosewood, Mangoes, Bamboos, Jacarandas, Jamun, Tamarind, Gloriosa lily, and many more.
- Fauna:
- Several species of mammals are found here like Tiger, Gaur, Elephant, Sambar, Barking Deer, Indian Wild Dog, Mouse Deer, Wild Pig, Indian giant squirrel, Jungle cat, sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr, ETC.
- The major four species of primates are also found at Periyar – the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Gee’s Golden Langur, Common Langur, and Bonnet Macaque.
- It is also being considered as the habitat of the elusive Nilgiri Tahr.
