| Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary നെയ്യാർ വന്യജീവി സംരക്ഷ്ണ കേന്ദ്രം | |
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IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
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 Interactive map of Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary നെയ്യാർ വന്യജീവി സംരക്ഷ്ണ കേന്ദ്രം | |
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram District,Kerala,India |
| Nearest city | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Coordinates | 8°24′N77°10′E / 08.40°N 77.16°E /08.40; 77.16 |
| Area | 128 square kilometres (49 sq mi) |
| Established | 1958 |
TheNeyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the southern state ofKerala inIndia is spread over the southeast corner of theWestern Ghats, and covers a total area of 128 km2 (49 sq mi). It is located between 77° 8’ to 77° 17’ east longitude and 8° 29’ to 8° 37’ north latitude, central location8°33′N77°12.5′E / 8.550°N 77.2083°E /8.550; 77.2083. Although it was declared as a sanctuary in 1958, not much was done about wildlifeconservation, until 1985, when a separatewildlife wing was set up and as a result, conservation efforts have gathered momentum. It is part of theAgasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.[1]
This is thedrainage basin for theNeyyar River and its tributaries - Mullayar and Kallar. The towering peak ofAgasthyamalai at an elevation of 1868 meters is a very prominent landmark.
The mean summer temperature is around 35 degrees Celsius and the winter being around 16 degree Celsius. The average rainfall from the Southwestmonsoon between May and July and the Northeast monsoon between October and November, is about 2800 mm. The tourist season here is between the months of November and March.
This sanctuary has a substantial natural vegetation cover. The diversity of its flora makes the sanctuary an ideal gene pool preserve. There are 39 species of mammals, includingtiger,leopard,sloth bear,elephant,sambar,barking deer,bonnet macaque,Nilgiri langur andNilgiri tahr. 176 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles, 17 species of amphibians and 40 species of fishes are reported from the sanctuary.[2]
A crocodile farm, set up in 1977 at Neyyar, is home to around 20mugger crocodiles. The Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre was inaugurated at Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in May 2007.[3]
The administrative complex of Neyyar complex Wildlife Sanctuary is about 1 kilometer West ofNeyyar Dam outside the sanctuary complex and has an information center, staff quarters, rest house, and a youth hostel. The sanctuary offers facilities for the tourists to visit the lion park and also boat on the Neyyar lake.[4]
Nearest railway station:Neyyattinkara Railway Station, 20 km
Nearest airport:Trivandrum International Airport, 40 km
