ARALAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary !

Aralam wildlife sanctuary is the northernmost protected area of Kerala state, situated in the southeast part of Kannur District. It lies between 11° 54 and 11° 59  North latitude and 75° 47  and 75° 57 East longitude. 

The sanctuary area falls in Aralam, Kelakam and Kottiyoor revenue villages and is located in the Northwest slopes of Western Ghats contiguous with the forests of Coorg (Kodagu) district of Karnataka state.

The PA (Protected Area) is comprised of Aralam Range, the only Range of Aralam wildlife division, which is part of Northern Wildlife Circle (Northern Region) Palakkad. The extent of the sanctuary is 55 km²

The headquarters is near Iritty, a small town about 45 km from Kannur. The Cheenkannipuzha River forms the main drainage system on the southern side. The Narikkadavuthodu, Kurukkathodu and Meenumuttithodu from the northern upper reaches flow southwards to join Cheenkannipuzha.

The sanctuary is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats. Sambar deer, elephant, peacock, boar, lion tailed macaque, common langur, wild dog, common otter, Malabar giant squirrel, bonnet macaque, tiger and bison are common sights. Among reptiles, the king cobra is prominently found in the sanctuary. 

Forest type

Forest coast tropical evergreen and west coast semievergreen forests are predominant. There are about 490 ha of teak and eucalyptus plantations within the forest area.

Flora
In the evergreen areas the following species are found: vellapine (Vateria indica), Mesua ferrea, Mechilus macrantha, Calophyllum elatum, Cullenia rosayroona, Magnifera indica, Toona cillata, Myristica Species, Euphorbia Longana, Strobilanthes. The common trees in the semievergreen areas are Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Hopea parviflora, Largestroemia lanceolata, Xyliaxylocarpa, Mallotus, Philippinensis.

Fauna

A variety of animals and birds usually found in the Western Ghats are seen here. Different kinds of deer, boar, elephant, and bison are quite common. Leopard, jungle cat and various types of squirrels are sighted.

It is also home to 172 different types of butterflies. A bird survey is conducted every year and 215 types of birds are reported to have been sighted, including the Nilgiris wood pigeon, the blue winged parakeet and the Malabar grey hornbill. 

Eco-tourism activities are promoted in a big way.

There's a 20-km trek route from the starting point of the sanctuary to Ambalapaara (1400mts above sea level) situated on the border area of Wayanad. For adventure lovers, camping equipment including tents and sleeping bags are made available.

Location: 35 km from Thalasserry and 60 km from Kannur town in Kerala 

Best time to visit: October to March. To see the butterflies, the best months are November and December. 

How to get there

By road - Thalassery - 45 km
Kannur - 45 km
Nearest railway station: Thalassery
Nearest airport: Kozhikode (113 km)

VALAPATANAM

VALAPPATANAM 

Valapattanam is a small town in the Kannur district, located in the Indian state of Kerala. It is also the smallest panchayath in kerala.Its area is 2.04 sqr Km. It is about 7 km north of Kannur. Valapattanam is an important Muslim settlement area in Kannur.

The small town on the Valapattanam River is well known for its wood-based industries and timber trade. The port of Azhikkal and Azhikkal Beach are located nearby. Western India Plywoods Limited, the largest wood-based industry in the country and also one of the largest of its kind in South East Asia, is a major industrial concern here.

Mangrove Park !

Valappattanam River view from Mangrove park 

Valapattanam River വളപട്ടണം പുഴ

ഉത്തര മലബാറിലെ പ്രധാന പുഴകളിൽ ഒന്നാണ്‌ വളപട്ടണം പുഴ. കേരളത്തിലെ‌ ഏറ്റവും വീതികൂടിയ പുഴയാണിതു്. കേരളത്തിലെ 44 പുഴകളിൽ കിഴക്കോട്ടൊഴുകുന്നവയിൽ ഏഴെണ്ണം കണ്ണൂർ ജില്ലയിലൂടെ ഒഴുകുന്നു. അവയിൽ ഏറ്റവും നീളമേറിയത് വളപട്ടണം പുഴയാണ്‌. ഏറ്റവും നീളമേറിയ ഒമ്പതാമത്തെ പുഴയും,വെള്ളത്തിന്റെ അളവിൽ കേരളത്തിലെ നാലാമത്തെ വലിയ പുഴയും ഇതാണ്‌. ഇതിന്റെ നീളം 110.50 കി.മി ആണ്‌. കേരളത്തിലെ പ്രധാന അണക്കെട്ടുകളിൽ ഒന്നായ പഴശ്ശി അണക്കെട്ട് നിർമ്മിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത് ഈ പുഴയ്ക്കു കുറുകെയാണ്.തെർലയി,കൊർലായി,പാബുരുത്തി എന്നീ ദീപുകൾ വളപട്ടണം പുഴയിൽ അരികിലാന്ന്  ചെങ്ങളായി ഗ്രാമപഞ്ചായത്ത് 12.043696° N 75.4909712° E ഭൂമിശാസ്ത്ര പ്രാധാന്യം ഗ്രാമപഞ്ചായത്ത് രാജ്യം ഇന്ത്യ സംസ്ഥാനം കേരളം ജില്ല കണ്ണൂർ നിയമസഭാ മണ്ഡലം തളിപ്പറമ്പ് ലോകസഭാ മണ്ഡലം കണ്ണൂർ ഭരണസ്ഥാപനങ്ങൾ പ്രസിഡണ്ട് എം. വേലായുധൻ വിസ്തീർണ്ണം 67.33ചതുരശ്ര കിലോമീറ്റർ വാർഡുകൾ {{{വാർഡുകൾ}}} എണ്ണം ജനസംഖ്യ 26660 ജനസാന്ദ്രത 396/ച.കി.മീ കോഡുകൾ


ഉത്ഭവം
വളപട്ടണം പുഴ ഉത്ഭവിക്കുന്നത് കർണാടകത്തിലെ കുടക് ജില്ലയിലെ ബ്രഹ്മഗിരി ഘട്ട് റിസേർ‌വ് ഫോറസ്റ്റിലാണ്‌.പിന്നീട് കുപ്പം പുഴയുമായി യോജിച്ച് അവസാനം അറബിക്കടലിൽ പതിക്കുന്നു.
തീരങ്ങൾ
പ്രശസ്തമായ പറശ്ശിനിക്കടവ് മുത്തപ്പൻ ക്ഷേത്രം വളപട്ടണം പുഴയുടെ തീരത്താണ്‌ സ്ഥിതി ചെയ്യുന്നത്.

Valapattanam is known for its communal harmony. On one hand one can see the "Kalarivathukkal temple" and on the other hand you have the "Kakkulangara Mosque" lying in close proximity. The long vision of the social leaders and people on the whole has made Valapattanam a land of communal harmony.

Mangroves......

History 

This town is named after its historical founder Vallabha II of the Mooshika dynasty (Kolathiri family) and was originally known as Vallabha-Pattanam  and served as the capital of the Mooshika dynasty during the medieval ages. The fourteenth-century narrative of Ibn Battuta refers to the ruler of Ezhimala as residing at Baliapatanam and offers a clue that by this time, the centre of the political authority had shifted from Ezhimala to Baliapatanam. In the sixteenth century AD, a Portuguese official Duarte Barbosa also mentions Baliapatanam (Baliapatam in European records) as the residence of the ‘king of Cannanore’.

 

Valapattnam is an important tourist destination in Kannur district

Location:Valapattanam about 7 km from Kannur town, Kannur district, north Kerala.

Attractions: The largest wood-based industry in South East Asia, a beautiful fishing harbour ,Tile factory , Kandal Park ...........

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Kannur, about 7 km from Valapattanam.
Nearest airports: Karipur international airport, Kozhikode, about 93 km from Kannur town.


courtesy;Internet

Madayipara......

Madayipara

Madayipara is a significant spot owing to its bio-diversity as well as history. In the past, Madayipara was the administrative center of the Ezhimala kings. In and around Madayipara, one can find remnants from the past. At the southern side of the hill, stand the remains of a fort called Pazhi Kotta (kotta means fort in Malayalam). Here one can also find watchtowers at the four corners of the fort. Between AD 14 and AD 18, Madayipara used to be the site for the coronation ceremony of the rulers of the princely state of the erstwhile Kolathunadu.

The hillock of Madayipara, which carries several signs of historic relevance, is also a place important from a religious point of view. Here, a pond in the shape of a hand held mirror, connected to ancient jewish setllers is another historic attraction. Similarly, a temple at this site, called Vadukunda Siva Temple and the adjoining lake, about an acre in extension form yet another attraction at Madayipara. The lake near the temple will not go dry even in hot summer months and remains a source of nourishment to life forms at Madayipara. The pooram festival of Madayi Kavu (kavu ? family temples and those in the midst of thick vegetation) held at Madayipara has been responsible for much of its fame.

With regard to the bio-diversity of Madayipara, it has been found that the region contains about 300 flowering plants, about 30 varieties of grass, and several insect-eating plant species. Madayipara is also home to several rare medicinal herbs, which are sought by people from near and far off places. Coming to avian life, Madayipara sustains about 100 species of butterflies and about 150 species of birds. Among the biggest butterflies in the world, the Atlas butterfly is a visitor to Madayipara. 

Tawny Pipit sighted at Madayipara. 

The upcoming cultural village project of the state government is aimed to sustain and keep intact the physical as well as historic importance of Madayipara, and at the same time encourage visitors to savour the unparalleled attractions of this beautiful terrain. 

Location:	Madayipara, 25 kms north of Kannur
Nearest Railway Station:	Pazhayangadi
Nearest Bus Station:	Pazhayangadi
Nearest Airports:	Mangalore(100 kms), Kozhikode (140 kms).

 COURTESY : iNternet

Ezhimala Hills 

Ezhimala a hill reaching a height of 286 metres, is located in Kannur District of Kerala, South India. As the former capital of the ancient Mushika Kingdom, it is considered to be an important historical site. Ezhimala and its valleys constitute Ramanthali Village, a beautiful landscape adjacent to the famous Payyannur Town in Kannur District, Kerala State.

Ezhimala is close to the Arabian Sea. According to the legends, the Ezhimala is related to Ramayana tradition. It says that during the battle between Rama and Ravana, many from Rama’s army were killed. In order to bring them back to life, the senior member of the vanara sena named Jambavan prescribed to bring four medicinal herbs from the Himalayas. Hanuman was sent in search of it. On reaching the Himalayas, Hanuman could not recognize the medicinal herbs and so he plucked the whole mountain and flew back to the war land. On the way a piece of the mountain fell into the sea and that was Ezhimala. It is the belief of the local people here and so they think that Ezhimala still possess those medicinal values. 

This area was formerly known as Ezhil mala which means ‘high hillocks’. This name later reduced to form Ezhimala. It was the landmark for the sailors. At the bottom of the hills there are burial chambers, caves, platforms etc which indicate that these areas were inhabited from the ancient times itself. The hills are home to some of the rare medicinal herbs.

Hanuman Statue  

 The tallest HANUMAN statue in Asia   

Hanuman swamy is beleived to be a follower of Lord Rama. During the times of Ramayana, when Hanuman was carrying the Dunagiri mountain which had the Mrithasanjeevani herbs to Lanka, a piece of the mountain fell down in the location which is now called as Ezhumala. This piece broke into 7 pieces on impact with mother earth. Today, these 7 pieces (hills) together are called as Ezhumala. Ezhu refers to 7 in the native language (malayalam).

It is beleived that Hanuman swamy still resides in the Ezhumala mountains. And hence a temple was built for him at this location. The statue of Hanuman swamy is huge and gives a realistic view of swamy with his gatha (weapon).

How  2 Reach
District	:	Kannur
Nearest Bus Station	:	Payyanur bus stand at a distance of 8 kms
Nearest Railway Station	:	Payyanur railway station at a distance of 7 kms / Kannur railway station

Nearest Airports:	Mangalore(110 kms), Kozhikode (150 kms), Kannur(Under construction - 40 kms).

Nearest Railway Station:	Ezhimala
Nearest major Railway Station:	Payyannur
Nearest major Bus Station:	Payyannur

courtesy :internet , word of mouth