Topographical
extremes capture the imagination of a visitor to the Chinnar
National Park, situated at Devikulam taluk of Idukki district of
Kerala. Given the status of National Park in 1984, Chinnar treat
the wildlife enthusiasts to more than 90.422 sq. kms of
wilderness: expansive forests, jagged peaks, and a wide diversity
of wildlife including endangered giant grizzled squirrel,
elephant, gaur, panther, spotted deer and sambar.
Chinnar National park gets only about 48 rainy days in a year
during October-November thanks to its location on the rain shadow
region of the Western Ghats.
The forest types of the park comprise dry deciduous forest,
thorny scrub forests, high sholas and wet grasslands. Chinnar is
reputed to have the unique thorny scrub forest with xerophytic
species.
Among the animals found in the sanctuary are elephant, giant
grizzled squirrel, gaur, panther, spotted deer, sambar, hanuman
monkey, rabbit etc. However, of particular interest during a tour
to this the Chinnar National Park will be sightings of the
endangered giant grizzled squirrel.