The state of Kerala covers an area of 38,863 km2 (15,005 sq mi).
The total forest area in the state is 10,336 km2 (3,991 sq mi) (1995), forming 27.83% of the total geographic area.
There are six national parks with a total area of 558.16 km2 (215.51 sq mi).
There are fourteen wildlife sanctuaries with a total area of 1,891.07 km2 (730.15 sq mi).
Together the protected area totals 2,449.23 km2 (945.65 sq mi), which cover 23.7% of the total forest area and 6.3% of the geographical area of Kerala State.
The first official action towards the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity in Kerala was taken in 1934 by theMaharaja of thePrincely state ofTravancore,Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, by declaring the forests around Periyar lake as aprivate game reserve to stop the encroachment of tea plantations. It was named Nellikkampatty Game Reserve and was consolidated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1950 after the political integration of India.[1]
1.Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (5,520 km2) established in 1986, includes parts of Wayanad, Malappuram & Palakkad districts of Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu & Karnataka.
2.Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (3,500 km2) established in 2001, covers parts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta Districts in Kerala and Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari Districts in Tamil Nadu.
TheThiruvananthapuram Zoo is one among the best designed in Asia and is set amidst a woodland, lakes and lawns.[4] It is one of the oldest in the country, established as an annexe to the museum in 1857.
TheThrissur Zoo is home to the wide variety of animals, reptiles and birds. Spread over an area of 13.5 acres of land, a natural history museum and an art museum are also enclosed within the same premises showcasing the socio-cultural heritage of the region. There is a special building which houses snakes also.[5]
Idamalayar Reserve Forest- surrounding theEdamalayar Dam to the north, east and a south-east, covering Thrissur and Ernakulam districts.Eravikulam National Park is to the south-east, and Mankulam Forest Division to the east.
A useful source is detailed Topographic Maps of India.[7]
