Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary

Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 2020, is located in the Nilambur Taluk of Malappuram district, Kerala, on the western slopes of the Nilgiri Hills. Covering around 228 square kilometers, it features a sharp altitudinal gradient from 40 meters to over 2500 meters, which contributes to its exceptional biodiversity.

The sanctuary forms a crucial link between Silent Valley National Park in Kerala and Mukurthi National Park in Tamil Nadu, creating a continuous protected area and enabling the free movement of wildlife. It is unique in Kerala for encompassing all seven forest types found in the state, including evergreen rainforest, semi-evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, sub-tropical savannah, sub-tropical hill forest, montane wet temperate forest, and montane wet grasslands.

The sanctuary harbors a wide variety of fauna including endangered species like the Nilgiri Tahr, lion-tailed macaque, elephants, tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaur (Indian bison), and diverse birdlife with over 150 species recorded. Numerous streams, grasslands, and riverine habitats support rich flora, including teak, rosewood, bamboo, medicinal plants, and endemic orchids. Karimpuzha plays a vital role in biodiversity conservation within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot and UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme site.

Its pristine forests also shelter endangered fish species like the Malabar Mahseer. The sanctuary combines ecological importance with scenic landscapes, making it a significant natural treasure in Kerala. It lies about 20 km from Nilambur town, with nearest airport and railway access around 60 km and 16 km away respectively.