Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
Entrance
Map of Kerala, India
Location	Kerala, southwest India
Coordinates
Area	55 km2 (21 sq mi)
Established	1984
http://www.aralam.org/

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is the northernmost wildlife sanctuary of Kerala, southwest India. A mere 55 km² (21 sq mi) in area and located on the western slope of the Western Ghats. It was established in 1984. The headquarters of the sanctuary is near Iritty. Aralam wildlife sanctuary is the northernmost protected area of Kerala state, situated in the southeast part of Kannur District. It lies between 11° 54 and 11° 59 North latitude and 75° 47 and 75° 57 East longitude.

The sanctuary area falls in Aralam, Kelakam and Kottiyoor revenue villages and is located in the Northwest slopes of Western Ghats contiguous with the forests of Coorg (Kodagu) district of Karnataka state.

The PA (Protected Area) consists of Aralam Range, the only Range of Aralam wildlife division, which is part of Northern Wildlife Circle (Northern Region) Palakkad. The extent of the sanctuary is 55 km2 .The sanctuary was constituted in the year 1984 as per GO (P) 300/84/AD dated 15-10-84.

It was formed by carving out areas from the Odanthode Malavaram of Thalassery special division which was an erstwhile private forest, subsequently taken over by Govt. as per the provisions of the Kerala Private Forests (Vesting and assignment) Act 1971 and from the Kottiyoor RF of Wayanad Forest Division.

The Vested Forest portion of the sanctuary is 32.64 km2 and the 22.36 km2 is part of Kottiyoor RF (Reserved Forest).

Till 30.6.98 this sanctuary was a Range in Wayanad Wildlife Division. It started functioning as an independent wildlife division since 1.7.98 as per GO (MS) 36/98 dated 27.5.98.

In the First Management Plan the entire area was divided into two zones viz: the Core Zone and the Buffer Zone.Climatic factors include rainfall, temperature, humidity, frost and so on.

   Average rainfall : 4000 mm
   Temperature : 110 c to 400 c
   Humidity : 60 to 100 %
   Wind : Regular wind during Southwest monsoon
   Water source : Cheenkannipuzha

Rainfall

Rainfall data available in the Central State Farm, Aralam, which is just adjoining to the sanctuary area has been analysed.

Major source of moisture in the tract is in the form of rainfall. The total annual rainfall seldom falls below 4000 mm.

The maximum annual value for the nine years data available is 5052.60 mm and the minimum is 3745.50 mm.

In specialised localities, in the higher reaches (where there are no rain gauges), the rainfall even goes as high as over 6000mm.

   Lion share (more than 70%) of the rainfall is obtained during the southwest monsoon in June, July and August months.

The retreating monsoon though less pronounced, is an important source of moisture in October, November and December months, which constitutes 14% of the total. Summer rains vary widely and is not dependable.

It is a well-known fact that in the Peninsular India the vegetation type and growing period are determined by the extent of dry period rather than by the amount of rainfall.

The spread of rainy days across time (around the year) is a crucial determining factor in the plant growth. The dry period in the area varies between 3 to 4 months when the monthly rainfall is below 50 mm, and the number of rainy days varies from 100-120. Variation is observed in the quantity of rainfall as the altitude changes to higher levels. Temperature

The temperature at the foothills varies from 110c to 400c. The diurnal variations are moderate. As the altitude increases the variation is comparatively minimal which is between 80c and 250c. The hottest months are April and May. December to February is relatively cool. Humidity

At the foothills the humidity varies from 60 to 100%. Winds

Regular winds lash the area during the southwest monsoon period. Strong winds of dry nature blow from September to April, causing dryness in the locality. With the result there is fire hazard, especially in the deciduous forests. Microclimate

Locations where very high rainfall and peculiar soil conditions in the folds of the hills bring in specialised microclimatic situations leading to a peculiar habitat, which support relatively specialised vegetation. Such portions are found here and there on the higher reaches.

References

Holidays in keralam