The sanctuary constitutes he catchments of peppara dam constructed across the Karamana river and commissioned during
1983 to augment the drinking water supply to Thiruvananthapuram city and suburban areas.

Location: 77 6’ 50” and 77 14’ 5” East Longitude and 8 34’ 30” and 8 41’ 25” North Latitude

Area: 53 sq km

Year of formation: 1983 (GO(P) 379/83/AD/21..12..1983)

Climate: Temperature varies from 16 C to 35 C.

Topography: Altitude ranging from 100 to 1717 m. The major peaks in the sanctuary are Chemmunjimottai (1717 m),
Athirumalai 1594 m, Arumukhamkunnu (1457 m), Koviltherimalai (1313 m) and Nachiyadikunnu (957 m).

Rainfall: Annual average rainfall is 2500 mm

Drainage: The major rivers are Karamana river and its tributaries. The peppara reservoir is of an area of 5.82 sq .km.

Forest Types: Forest types include West coast tropical evergreen, Southen hilltop tropical evergreen, West cast semi-evergreen,
Southern moist mixed deciduous forest, Myristica swamp forest, sub-montane hill valley swamp forest etc.

Biodiversity: Common tree species are Terminalia paniculta, T. bellerica, PTEROCARPUS MARSUPIUM, Palaquium ellipticum,
Mesua ferrea, Hopea parviflora, Bombax ceiba, Syzyguium cummini, Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Albizzia procera,
Alstonia scholaris, etc.

43 species of mammals, 233 sp. of birds, 46 species of reptiles, 13 species of amphibians and 27 species of fishes are reported
from the sanctuary.

The common mammals found are Tiger, Leopard, Sloth bear, Elephant, Sambar barking Deer, bonnet Macaque, Nilgiri langur,
Nilgiri tahr etc.

Approach: By Road – Thiruvananthapuram – 44km

Nearest Railway Station: – Thiruvananthapuram – 44km

Nearest Airport: – Thiruvananthapuram – 49 km

Accommodation: - No facilities by the Department. IB of Kerala Water Authority is very near to the headquarters.

Best season to visit: January to March

Closure Period : Open throughout the year

Special Attractions: Trekking to forest area – Bonafalls, Vazahuvanthole water falls,Kalarkad waterfalls, visit to settlement
areas etc.

Contact Address:

The Wildlife Warden

Thiruvananthapuram Wildlife Division,
Forestry Complex, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar,
Vattiyorkavu P.O, Thiruvananthapuram
Phone: 0471 2360762 Email - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it