Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary

Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary was established in the year 1958, which makes it the second oldest wildlife sanctuary of Kerala. Located in Thrissur/Trichur district, this wildlife reserve consists of Palappilli and Nelliyampathi forests. The sanctuary lies in the catchments areas of Peechi and Vazhani dams in Trichur District. Here, one can explore wild and exotic orchids and other flora, along with different species of exuberant birds. A large number of wild animals can also be seen in Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary. Till the beginning of the 19th century the forests of this sanctuary were under the possession of feudal chief called Naduvachira who paid his humble adherence to the Raja of Cochin.

Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary is a beautiful place to trek or even for taking a nature walk. Nature camps are conducted on a regular basis in the sanctuary. For trekking into the greens one must take prior permission from the forest authorities. There are walkthroughs organized by the forest authorities, through the wilds, so that the visitors could be well acquainted with the surroundings along with the wild animals that live there.

Geography
Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary has been blessed with abundant rains, which is typical for this state, good sunlight and hot and humid weather. This sanctuary lies in between the latitude10° 28' to 10°38'and the longitude 76°18' to 76°28'. The climate of the area is generally pleasing. This enchanting place consists of beautiful plains and scenic hills. The Ponmudi Peak measuring 923 m is the highest point of this region, which runs to the altitude ranging from 45 meters to 900 meters. The temperature which is experienced here throughout this region remains on an average of around 25°C. The annual average perspiration in this area is 3000mm and the monsoon hits this region from June to August.

Flora
Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary has a large variety of forests, including Moist Deciduous Forest, Evergreen forests and Semi-evergreen forests. Alhough evergreen forests are very sparsely seen in this wildlife sanctuary, the sanctuary is blessed with various kinds of flora. Different types of flora grow at different parts of the forest, based on the altitude of the place. For instance, trees like rosewood, teak, thenmavu, irul and venteak grow in abundance in the wet leaves shedding forests and in the evergreen forests, trees like karakil, kalpine, whiteakil, kambakam and ambani are seen. More than 50 different orchids and innumerable rare medicinal plants are also found in abundance here.

Fauna
Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary provides shelter to a number of resident and migratory birds, along with a plethora of other animals. Numerous kinds of mammals, almost 60 types of birds and 10 types of reptiles thrive here. Meat eaters like leopard, tiger, vixens etc. and grass eaters like deer, elks, barking deer etc. can be commonly spotted here. Bison and elephants too can be seen here, but only at the heart of the forests. Large herds of spotted deer venturing the greens are a common sight here. In other parts of the reserved forest elks can be spotted in large numbers.