| |
CLIMATE
Wayanad has a salubrious climate. The mean average rain fall
in this district is 2322 m.m. Lakkidi, Vythiri and Meppadi
are the high rainfall areas in Wayanad. Annual rain fall in
these high rain fall areas ranges from 3,000 to 4,000m.m.
High velocity winds are common during the south west monsoon
and dry winds blow in March-April. High altitude regions experience
severe cold. In Wayanad (Ambalavayal) the mean maximum and
minimum temperature for the last five years were 29oC and
18oC respectively. This place experiences a high relative
humidity which goes even up to 95 per cent during the south
west monsoon period. Generally, the year is classifed into
four seasons, namely, cold weather (December-February), hot
weather (March-May), south west monsoon (June-September) and
north east monsoon(October-November). The dale, 'Lakkidi',
nestled among the hills of Vythiri taluk has the highest average
rainfall in Kerala. The average rain fall in Wayanad is 300mm.
per year. There is a decreasing trend in rainfall in this
area. The average rainfall data shows that the lowest rain
fall received from north east monsson, is in Wayanad district.
|
FLORA
AND FAUNA The flora of Wayanad are characteristic
of the Western Ghats and the plantation crops grown in the
cool climate. A major portion of the district is covered by
coffee. Trees of the wild type like rose-wood, anjili (Artocarpus),
mullumurikku (Erthrina), several species of caussia and many
other non-descrip varieties are still preserved here and there,
to give shade to the coffee plants. These trees give a dembalance
of wilderness to the landscape of Wayanad. In a majority of
coffee plantations, the age-old species are replaced by the
silver-oak which is suited to the cold climate. This tree
grows quickly and its cultivation is widespread among coffee
plantations for shade and for giving support to pepper. It
is used for the plywood industry and thus is economical to
the farmers. Eucalyptus grandis, a shorter variety of eucalyptus,
whose fragrant smell suffuses the very air around it, is cultivated
on a large scale in centain parts of the district. Eucalyptus
oil is extracted on commercial basis from its leaves. Of the
20,864 hectares of reserve forest, the major portion is teak
plantation. Arecanut palms and jack trees are also grown here.
Tea is grown as an industry in large estates. The soil and
climate of Wayanad are suitable for horiculture on commercial
basis. For promoting the cultivation of vegetables and raising
of orchards, the Kerala Agricultural University is running
a Regional Agricultural Research Station at Ambalavayal. With
the clearing of forests, the diverse and buzzling animal life,
characteristic of the forests of Western Ghats, has vanished
from Wayanad. One can still see the bonnet monkeys, loris,
mongooses, jungle cats, squirrels, jackals, hares, etc. in
the limited forest areas. Elephant, bear and other wild animals
from the neighbouring wild life sanctuaries of Karnadaka and
Tamil Nadu, stray into the Begur forest range and the forests
around Muthanga, which is 20 kilometres away from the town
of Sulthan Bathery.
|
|
| Wayanad
as blessed with wilderness as Malabar will also be equally
blessed with wildlife. Not only is Malabar home to wildlife
reserves like Silent Valley and Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary,
it is also within easy reach of sanctuaries outside the state.
|
|
Wayanad
Wildlife Sanctuary:
Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous
to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of
Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on
the southeast. Rich in bio diversity, the sanctuary is an
integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve , which has
been established with the specific objective of conserving
the biological heritage of the region. The sanctuary is rich
in flora and fauna. The management lays emphasis on scientific
conservation with due consideration for the general lifestyle
of the tribals and others who live in and around the forest.
Elephant, spotted deer. Bison, tiger, cheetah, wild bear etc.
can be spotted here. Elephant rides are arranged by the Forest
department.
Permitting authority : Wildlife Warden, Wayanad
Wildlife Sanctuary, Sulthan Bathery |
|
Nagarhole
Elephant Sanctuary:
Situated in Karnataka, this wildlife sanctuary is some 40
kms from Mananthavady in Wayanad. Jeeps and trucks regularly
transport visitors to this location.
Begur/Tholepetty Wildlife Sanctuary: Several
species of animals like elephant , bison, spotted deer, tiger,
leopard, bear and wild boar are found in this sanctuary ,
which is just 100 kms from Vythiri. The best season to visit
is Dec-to May, when animals from the neighbouring Bandhipur,
Nagarhole and Mudamalai frequent this sanctuary due to scarcity
of water elsewhere. Day trips are organized from various resorts
in Wayanad.
Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve:
Situated in Karnataka , this famous wildlife sanctuary and
tiger reserve is also easily accessible from Malabar and is
en route to Ooty.
Mudumalai Elephant Park: Tamil Nadu's most well-known wild
life sanctuary is within easy reach and is just 130 kms from
Vythiri. |
|
| Nagarhole
Wildlife Sanctuary (40 km from Mananthavady):
This sanctuary in Karnataka state extends over 643.39 sq.km.
The park houses diverse species of plant and animal life.
Visiting time:0600-0800 hrs and 1500-1730 hrs.
Begur
Wildlife Sanctuary (20 km east or Mananthavady):
This sanctuary is home to many exotic species of fauna.
|
| Bee-eater
( Nectyronis othertoni) |
A
rare blue beard bee-eater a rare bird has been sighted in
Wayanad. The blue bird bee-eater is the largest bee-eater
in the world. This rare bird builds nests on the ground and
usually dwells in forest especially low land forest clearings
and open hill forests. The bird has pale blue forehead and
a "beard". The upper parts of the head are green
and the belly adorned with soft streaks. The long tail is
yellow below and square ended. The bird has de-curved slender
black bill and short wings. Its call is audible from a good
distance. |
 |
Before feeding the young, the bird gives a special kind of
call to its young ones, perching on a nearby tree as if signaling
them to come to the entrance of the nest to receive the food.
The nests are found to be almost two and a half meter long
inside, a peculiar to this species. The nest and the chicks
are highly vulnerable to attack of snakes.
Out of the 24 species of bee-eaters seen in the world, six
have been spotted in India. Bee-eaters play a major role in
controlling insect pests, especially wasps, which are poisonous. |
|
-
The Green Paradise
