Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

Oct. 31, 2023

Recently, suspected Maoists reportedly opened fire at Forest Department watchers at the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur, Kerala.

About Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary:

It is located on the western slopes of the Western Ghats.
It is the northernmost wildlife sanctuary in Kerala and was established in 1984.
It is contiguous with Wayanad-Brahmagiri, Wayanad's northern slopes, and the Protected Areas of Karnataka State, namely the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and also the forests of Coorg.
The highest peak in this sanctuary is Katti Betta.
It is the only protected area of the West Coast Tropical Evergreen Forest of Dipterocarpus-Mesua- Palaquium type.
The river Cheenkani flows through this wildlife sanctuary.
Vegetation: Forest coast tropical evergreen and west coast semievergreen forests are predominant here.
Flora: The common trees in the semievergreen areas are Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Hopea parviflora, Largestroemia lanceolata, Xyliaxylocarpa, Mallotus and Philippinensis.
Fauna: Deer, boar, elephant, and bison are quite common. Leopard, jungle cat and various types of squirrels are sighted here.