About Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary
Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area established in 1984, covering approximately 85 square kilometers along the Western Ghats in Thrissur district, Kerala. Located on the western slopes of the Nelliyampathy Hills, the sanctuary features dense tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, diverse wildlife including elephants and tigers, and the scenic Chimmony Dam built across the Kurumali River.
Visitors guide
Visitors can explore lush tropical rainforests through guided treks, observe diverse flora and fauna including elephants, sambars, gaurs, and over 192 bird species, enjoy coracle rides in the Chimmony Dam reservoir, and visit cascading waterfalls like Churathala. The sanctuary offers trekking trails through varied forest landscapes with opportunities for birdwatching, especially during November and December.
Key highlights
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Dense tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests
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Chimmony Dam with coracle ride opportunities
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Guided trekking trails including Churathala Waterfalls route
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Rich biodiversity with 39 mammal species and 192 bird species
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Scenic views of Western Ghats landscape
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Contiguous with Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
History of Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary
Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1984, covering approximately 85.067 square kilometers on the western slopes of the Nelliyampathy Hills
Route
| By air | Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, about 50-60 km away |
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| By train | Nearest railway station is Thrissur, about 30-37 km away |