GREEN FOREST LAND PART-1

Wayanad

Wayanad is the twelfth district in the state of Kerala. Kalpetta is the district headquarters. Wayanad is the only district in Kerala that shares borders with the States of Karnataka and Tamilnadu. The total area of Wayanad district is 2131 sq.km, Of this,38 percentage of the land area is forest. Wayanad is the second most visited tourist destination in Kerala after Idukki district. Situated in the western Ghats, Wayanad attracts large number of tourists. A lot of locals and foreigners come here for tourism. Wayanad is a land steeped in history. There is a huge range of luxury resorts and Ayurvedic treatment centers here.

Places to visit if you are going to Wayanad

1.Ambalavayal.

Ambalavayal is a village located in the Wayanad district of  Kerala. This village is home to the traditional museum of Wayanad. Ambalavayal is an important tourist destination of Wayanad. Ambalavayal is located at a distance of 10 km from sultanbathery. This village is famous for its horticultural activities. The most important attraction is the traditional museum, this is an archaeological museum. There is a large collection of antiquities dating back to the  2nd century, it is divided into 4 categories Dev smriti, Tribal smriti, Jeevana smriti, and Veera smriti. These exhibitions are of great interest to the general public, historians and archaeologists. The exhibit includes ancient hunting weapons and clay sculptures. It is one of the favourite destination of tourists. Visiting hours are 9 am to 6 pm. A local research center is located here. It used to be a small central horticultural research center. Later became a renovated regional agricultural research center. It also grows a variety of coffee and pepper spices such as turmeric, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and a variety of fruits and vegetables. The main attraction here is the flower show and agriculture farm. Don't forget to visit Ambalavayal view point. There are a lot of mind- blowing sights to see in Ambalavayal.

2.Phantom Rock

Phantom Rock is familiar to nature lovers and photographers. A skull- like piece of rock. Phantom rock is a unique example of nature's art form. Phantom rock is a perfect place to enjoy the beauty of nature and enjoy leisure time.

3.Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary.

Tholpetty wildlife sanctuary is located in the northern part of Wayanad district. This place is rich in vegetation. Along the way, you can see a wide  variety of animals and birds. There is a lake where animals come to drink and this is a major attraction here. These include tropical most deciduous forest and evergreen forests. Elephants, deer, big cats, tiger, langar, sambar deer, malabar lake bear and rare Sunderler Loris  etc... are all reported to be found here.

4.Meppadi.

Meppadi is a small town in wayanad district in the state of Kerala, India. Meppadi hill station is located on the state highway between Kozhikode and Ooty.  Beautiful forest and hill slopes add to the charm of meppadi.

5.Soochipara waterfall

Soochipara falls is a waterfall located in meppadi Grampanchayat, Wayanad district in the state of Kerala. Soochipara is over 200 meters high. Soochipara falls is also known as the sentinel rock falls. The water falling from a height of 100 to 300 feet is spectacular. The water that falls from the top flows into a small lake, and you can swim and bath in the lake. If you look from the towers at soochi para, you can see beautiful views of the lower streams of the western ghats. This place is a favourite of adventure climbers.

6.Pookode Lake.

Pookode lake is an important tourist destination of Wayanad district. The lake is surrounded by dense forest and mountains. The lake is located at an elevation of 2100 ft above sea level. The lake is full of blue amber flowers. There are boats for riding on the lake and sidewalks for walking around. pookodan crystal is a crystal fish found only in pookode lake. Located in vaithiri , this lake is a major tourist attractions in Wayanad. There is a fish farm and a greenhouse here. You can buy spices and handicrafts from Wayanad here. The lake covers an area of 13 acres.

7.Kuruva Island.

Kuruva island is located on the tributary of the kabani river. Which flows eastwards from Kerala. The protected area is rich in birds , medical plants, and vegetations. The area is home to about 150 small islands. It is an island community of 950 acres. Island can be reached on foot through small rocky and streams. Kuruva island is an important tourist destination for tourists. lots of people's come here and enjoy the scenic beauty.

8.Meenmutty Falls.

Meenmutty falls  is the 2nd largest waterfall in kerala, it is located in Wayanad district. Located 29 km south of kalpetta. The waterfall  in 3 tires from a height of 300 meter. It falls into the chaliyar, which orginates from the ambukuthi hill in wayanad. The road from kalpetta to this waterfall is beautiful. The road from kalpetta is through tea plantation and teak forests. The best time to visit this waterfall is from November to May.

9.Kurumbolakotta.

Kurumbolakotta is a hill station . Located 20 km  west of  kalpetta in wayanad district. It is located at an elevation of 991 meter above sea level. Hill is located in the Kottathara panchayat of vaithiri thaluk. Nearest town is venniyod. It can be reached  by road from  kalpetta  via kambalakkad. There are many sights  hidden in these hills.

10.Kanthanpara Falls.

Kanthanpara falls is a small waterfalls. Located in wayanad district. It is  located 8 km east of meppadi. The height of this waterfall is about 30 meter. Slightly smaller than soochipara falls. The beautiful place that is not much visited by tourists. Kanthanpara falls can be seen like a thread from the top of soochipara. kanthanpara falls is located at a distance of 22 km from kalpetta, 23 km from sultanbathery and 57km from mananthavady.

11.Chain Wood.

The chain wood is located at lakkidi in Wayanad district of Kerala. This chain wrapped tree has some legends. It is 16 km from kalpetta, 41 km from sultanbathery, and 51 km from Mananthavady.

Legend

Legend has it that karinthandan, a young tribal man showed a British Engineer the way to wayanad through rugged mountains. In order to claim the rights to this invention. The British engineer killed young man who was guide undeterred. The young man's spirit continued to haunt the passers by. It is believed that that a sorcerer, later chained carinthandans soul to this tree. Passers-by visit this place for a safe journey and as a tribute to karinthandan.

12.Banasura Sagar Dam.

The dam is located in padinjarathara grampanchayat. 21 km from kalpetta in wayanad  district of kerala. The dam is located  across the karamanthod. A tributary of kabani river in the western ghats. Construction of dam began in 1979 and was completed in 2004. The dam is made of earth about a kilometre long. The dam supplies water to the kuttyadi Hydroelectric project and supplies water for irrigation and drinking in this arid regions. The surface area of the dam is 12.77 hectares. The river panamaram is that holds back water. The operating license of the dam is with KSEB and the government of Kerala. This is a great starting point for an adventurous Trek to the beautiful hills near the dam. Banasura sagar dam is an important tourist destination of Wayanad. The islands in the valley of the banasura hills are scenic.

13.Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is an important wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserves, and was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1973. Near by are the Bandipur National park, the Mudhumalai wildlife sanctuary and the Nagarhola wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka.  This wildlife sanctuary is located between Sultanbathery and Mysore. It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. This place is rich in flora and fauna. The park aims at scientific conservation of wildlife in  accordance with the traditions of Tribals living here.  Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is located 16km east of sultanbathery and covers an area of 344sq km. The nearest major city is sultanbathery.

14Muthanga

Muthanga is an important place in wayanad. There is no one who has not heard of Muthanga.  Muthanga is a village located in the Wayanad district of Kerala. Muthanga is located on the road from Sultanbathery to Mysore. Muthanga wildlife sanctuary shares borders with 2 states of Kerala. These places where Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala meet is called triangle point. Animals like Buffalo, Elephant, and deer can be seen in the forest of this sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to a wide variety of birds. Wayanad , Bandipur and mudhumalai national park cover an area of over 2500sq km and are spread over 3 States. Many small and large birds and animals can be here. The vines of muthanga are a vast forest area. Muthanga is considered as a safe sanctuary for wildlife. Many tourists from inside and outside the state come to see the vast forest and see the animals. Muthanga has  built

accommodation and balconies for tourists. The near by village of Choonda is also part of the sanctuary. There are facilities to go hiking in the tribal huts are also available at muthanga and choonda. This vast forest area is rich in Tiger, Leopard and their prey.

Muthanga wildlife sanctuary

15.Karappuzha Dam.

Karappuzha dam is built in karappuzha village in muttil grampanchayat, wayanad district. The dam was built for irrigation, area is about 63 km. It is located at a distance of 20 km from kalpetta and 25 km from sultanbathery. The dam is located at a distance of 8 km kakka vayal. Edakkal cave another important tourist destination of district, is located at a distance of 5 km from the dam. Dam is maintained by  Kerala State Irrigation Department. The dam was opened in 2004.

16.Pazhassi Memorial.

Pazhassi Memorial is the tomb of Pazhassiraja. It is an important tourist attraction. This monument to king pazhassiraja is located at mananthavady in North Wayanad Kerala. Today it is also a tourist destination. There are boat rides for tourists and entertainment park for  childrens. There is also a fish farm here. He died in November 1805. The body was brought to mananthavady by the British with officials honors and cremated. He was also known as Veera pazhassi and the Lion of Kerala. Mananthavady is located is located 32 km  north east of kalpetta. Pazhassi lived in hiding in the pulpally cave until he was captured by the British. In 1980 pazhassi memorial was declared a protected monument by the state Archaeological survey of India. Established in December 2010, the museum houses the history gallery, the Adivasis gallery the heritage gallery and the coin gallery.