Located at Devikulam taluk of
Idukki District, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1984 to protect the endangered giant
grizzled squirrel. It is on the
Tamil Nadu border covering an area of 90 sq km. The area is famous for the sandalwood trees (santalum album) found here. Animals such as elephants, spotted deer, sambar, hanuman monkey and peacocks can be seen.
The sanctuary lies in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats. It consists of dry deciduous forests, high sholas and wet grasslands. The temperature varies from 18° C to 35° C.
The nearest railway stations are at
Aluva (200km) and
Pollachi (60km).
Cochin International Airport and
C A Coimbatore Airport are the nearest airports.
