Sacred Groves of Kasaragod District

In Kasaragod District, there are more than 300 sacred groves reported. Most of them falls in Hosdurg Taluqe. This District has the highest density of sacred groves in kerala which have an area more than 5 cents each. Kammadam sacred has an extent of 25 hectre. Various hindu rituals such as Theyyam is performed in thes Groves. Sacred Groves are center of village biodiversity hotspot.Groves are fast dissappearing now.Various types of flora and fauna which are found in westernghat reported here. People inhabiting around the groves says that even leapards, and varous deer species once lived in this sacred groves. but now only jungle cats , civets, snakes, birds, foxes, monkeys, monitor lizard are seen. Urgent protection of groves needed.

Wetlands / mangroves / bird sanctuary of Kasaragod

Wetlands of kasaragod are in danger, until and unless it is declared as a national park or bird sanctuary. The existing protection measures are an easy target for encroachers and landmafia. The wetlands of kasaragod is reduced in to very small area and the destruction continous. Wetland of kumbala -shiriya river and madakkara are under destruction. Mangroves and many red listed migrated birds are reported here. No NGOs and Forest department send any proposal to central government to declare it as a National Park. The area smaller than this wet land already declared as a NP in some states/ UTs such as Andaman Nicobar.

wildlife sanctuaries

Malom wildlife sanctaury (5 sq.km)
Malom reserve forest of kanhangad range consists of Tropical rainforest and many wild animals like as rhesus monkey, wild pig, flying squirrels, slender loris, porcupine, and birds like peacock, malabar hornbill and grey horn bill are seen. snakes like cobras, python and king cobras reported. It is 28 km away east of kanhangad in Balal- Kallar panchayath.
Adoor wildlife sanctuary (2 sq.km)
Adoor reserve forest which spreads about 2 sq.km in kasaragod district is the home for endangered animals like jungle cat, slenedr loris, wild pig, porcupine, turtles, peacock, malabar horn bill, butterflies, medicinal plants and wet evergreen forest. illicit tree felling, hunting, encroachment are main threats for this sanctaury. It is about 35 km east of kasaragod town in adoor- kuttikol panchayath
parappa wildlife sanctuary (2 sq.km)
Parappa reserve forest of kanhangad range are home for jungle cats, slenedr loris, wild pig, porcupine, turtles, peacock, malabar horn bill, butterflies, medicinal plants and wet evergreen forest. illicit tree felling, hunting, encroachment are main threats for this sanctaury. It is about 22 km East of chervathur town
Kammadam sacred grove wildlife sanctuary (52 acres)
Kammadam kavu, related with Bhagavathi temple, is the biggest sacred grove of kerala and rich in wildlife, evergreen forest, orchids, medicinal plants and shrubs. wild animals like Jungle cat, monitor lizard, civets, fox, bats, snakes, various species of birds and butterflies seen. It is 25 km east of kanhangad town.
Kareem's Forest park (32 acres)
India's first private sanctuary which spreads across 32 acres and rich in diverse species of trees, medicinal plants, birds, insets,reptails, amphibians, small wild animals, microorganisms and so on. People from different walks of life environmentalists, scientists, University and Ayurveda students, and laymen, all over the country visit his forest park for practical experience and study purpose. He is also multiplying and distributing the seeds and saplings of forest trees and medicinal plants and help our mother earth and help the nation to convert waste lands in to thick forests by replicating his efforts without involving additional coasts.
The park is situated at PULIYAMKULAM, near PARAPPA. It is 23 km away east of kanhangad town. Frequent bus service available.

Chandragiri / Payaswani riverine wildlife sanctuary

Chandaragiri river originating in westernghat. The forest around the river in some parts are encroached and destruction of the river is already started. Rcently one endangerd fresh water fish silurus wynandensis was discovered in this river. Various types fresh water turtle, amphibions and other water dwelling creature discovered in some parts. This river water is used by wild animals such as elephants in hilly forest areas. It also should be diclared as a wildlife sanctuary for future generation and also for tourist development. It can also bring back crocodiles and otters which was recently extincted.

Kottancheri wildlife sanctuary

This wildlife sanctuary is an extension of Ranipuram sanctaury। The rainforest of kottancheri WLS teeming with wildlife. Elephants, wild dog, deer, jungle cat frequently seen. Heavy hunting from kerala border reported. Kottancheri hill station is an ideal place for trekking too.

Olive ridley Turtle conservation centre, thaikadappuram

This is the place where olive ridley turtles are protected in kasaragod district, by Kerala forest department and NAITHAL (Coastal information conservation and action)

Ranipuram shola NP/ wildlife sanctuary(50 sq.km, proposed)

Although local people of this area reported presence of wild elephants and shola forests, concerened forest officials of this disrtict never tried for setting up of a NP or wildlife sanctuary. The proposed Ranipuram Wildlife sanctuary / National park of Kanhangad forest range, (Panathady RF) along with kottancherri forests consists of various flora and fauna which are endemic to the Western Ghats and a yet to studied biodiversity hotspot. It merges with the Talacauvery wildlife sanctuary. Ranipuram hill station which falls in Panathady reserve forest is an ideal area to notify as a wild life sanctuary/National park. shola forest seen only here in this district. Elephants, leopards, deer, wild dogs, wild boars, macaques, jungle cats, Leopard cats slender loris, porcupines, malabar giant squirrels, malabar civet cat, many species of birds, rare butterflies and medicinal plants are found in these forest. Endangered fresh water fish silurus wynaadensis reported from the streams of this forest. Panathady RF is recently selected for tentative nomination for protection of natural properties of World Heritage Site under UNESCO.