Located on the western slopes of Western Ghats, Aralam is the northern most wildlife sanctuary of Kerala.

 

Location:         75º 47’and 75º57’   East Longitude and 11º 54’ and 11º59’   North Latitude.

 

Area:                55 sq. km.

 

Year of formation:  Declared a Sanctury during 1984 (GO(P)300/84/AD/15.10.1984)

 

Climate:            Temperature varies from 110C to 400ºC              

 

Topography:  Altitude ranging from 650 to 1150m.                                                                               

 

Rainfall:        Rainfall varies from 3700 to 5000mm.

 

Drainage:     The Cheenkannipuzha forms the main drainage system on the southern side.  Narikkadavu thodu, Kurukkathodu and Meenumuttithodu from the northern upper reaches flow southwards to join Cheenkannipuzha.                                                                                                                                                                                

 

Forest Types:   The forest types include West Coast tropical evergreen  forest. , West coast semi-evergreen forests, South Indian moist deciduous forest, Southern hilltop evergreen forest and plantations                                   

 

Bio  diversity: The major tree species are Artiocarpus heterophyllus, Bishofia javanica, Calophyllum elatum, Cannarium strictum,Cullenia exarillita, Dipterocarpus sp, Drypetes elata, Dysoxylum malabaricum, Elaeocarpus tuberculatus, Holigarna arnottiana, Mesua ferrea, Palanquium ellipticum Bombax ceiba, Dalbergia latifolia, Grewia tiliaefolia,Terminalia sp etc.                                                                                                                                                 

 

23 species of mammals, 188 sp. of birds, 22 species of reptiles,

 

16 species of amphibians and 39 species of fishes are reported from the sanctuary                          

 

Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther,Sambar, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Wild boar, Sloth bear, Nilgiri langur, Bonnet macaque, Common langur, Wild dog, common otter, Malabar giant squirrel etc are the major mammals

 

Approach:   By Road – Thalasseri–  45 km 

 

                                   Kannur – 45 km

 

Nearest Railway Station:    Thalasseri     

 

Nearest Airport: Kozhikode  (113kms)       .

 

Accomodation :   IB (two rooms, 4 beds)                                                                       .

 

                            Dormitory – 50 beds

 

                            There is almost a Government Guest House and many private lodges in Iritty.

 

Best season to visit: November to May

 

Closure period:  Open throughout the year

 

Special Attractions: Trekking in the sanctuary.

 

Contact Address: