About Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary
Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area on the western slopes of the Nilgiris in Malappuram district, Kerala. Notified as Kerala's 18th wildlife sanctuary in 2020, it spans 227.97 square kilometres and features seven distinct forest types. The sanctuary links Silent Valley National Park and Mukurthi National Park, creating an important ecological corridor. It is home to diverse fauna including Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed macaque, and numerous bird species.
Visitors guide
Visitors can explore dense rainforests, cross historic iron girder bridges over the Karimpuzha river, and visit Dawson's Tomb memorial. The sanctuary offers guided treks through pristine forests, opportunities for wildlife spotting, and nature interpretation experiences. Visitors encounter lush teak plantations, perennial water sources, steep hills, and deep valleys with rich biodiversity across varied altitudes.
Key highlights
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Seven distinct forest types ranging from evergreen rainforest to montane grasslands
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Historic 1933 iron girder bridge built by British engineer E.S. Dawson
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Dawson's Tomb memorial inside the sanctuary
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Habitat for endemic Western Ghats species including Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed macaque
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Ecological corridor linking Silent Valley and Mukurthi National Parks
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Home to Cholanaikkan tribe, one of India's last hunter-gatherer communities
History of Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary includes historic structures from the British colonial period, notably the 1933 iron girder bridge constructed by British Forest Engineer Mr. E.S. Dawson, who died in Nedumkayam in 1938. His tomb remains within the sanctuary as a memorial. The area was officially notified as Kerala's 18th wildlife sanctuary in 2020.
Culture & Context
The sanctuary is home to the Cholanaikkan tribe, one of Kerala's most secluded scheduled tribes and among India's last hunter-gatherer communities. The New Amarambalam Reserved Forest within the sanctuary contains one of the most pristine forests untouched by humans.
Route
| By air |
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