FLORA AND FAUNA

Idukki district has at present about 260907 hectars of forest area. However, the sylvan wealth of the district and the animal life are fast disintegrating due to deforestation, indiscriminate felling of trees, encroachment and poaching.

All kinds of wild animals with the exception of lions abound in the forests of Idukki.

The grasslands of Peerumedu are a haven of carnivores like the tiger and the leopard. Bison, wild bear, languor and monkeys are a few of the other common denizens of the jungle.

The Thar (striped goat) is peculiar to this region including Marayur and Rajamala and is seldom seen anywhere else in the world.

The forests of Idukki resound during day time with the sweet voices of birds. These include the small wild parrots, mynas, red horned sparrows and a host of other nondescript species.

The valuable trees growing in the forests are teak, rosewood, deodars, sandalwood etc. The Forest Department has reared large Eucalyptus Plantations in the hilly tracts.