Kerala wakes up to some festival or the other every day of the year and Keralites are addicted to the festivals. In short ‘ Keralisation’ of the festivals of different communities is the unique feature of Kerala life.

The forests of Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary constitute the catchment of Peppara dam constructed across Karamana river and commissioned during 1983 to augment drinking water supply to Thiruvananthapuram city and suburban areas. This sanctuary with its rich fauna and birds is emerging as a big attraction to wildlife enthusiasts.Considering the ecological significance of the area, it was declared as sanctuary during 1983.

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary consists of Part of Palode reserve (24sq.kms) and part of Kottoor reserve (29sq.kms). The total area of the sanctuary is 53 sq.kms. The total water spread of the reservoir is 5.82 sq.kms.

The sanctuary is located about 50kms. north east of Thiruvananthapuram city in Nedumangad taluk of Thiruvananthapuram district between longitude 76°40' and 77°17' east and latitude 80°7'and 8°53' north. General topography of the area is hilly with elevation varying from 100 m to 1717m. Rainfall and other climate factors are similar to that of Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. There are 13 tribal settlements in the sanctuary. Eleven are in Athirumala section and two are in Thodayar section.

Silent valley is Extremely fragile, a unique preserve of tropical evergreen rain forests lying above the equator and the forest strip which causes the summer rains in Kerala.

The Silent Valley National Park has an area of 90 sq km is located in the north eastern corner of the district. It rises abruptly to the Nilgiri Plateau in the north and overlooks the plains of Mannarkkad in the south.

The core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the Silent Valley National Park. Despite its name, the Silent Valley (the clamour of Cicadas is conspicuously absent here) echoes with the sounds of teeming wildlife. The denizens of this sprawling habitat of endangered virgin tropical forests include rare birds, deer and tiger.

Perhaps, nowhere else can one also find such a representative collection of peninsular mammals, over a 100 species of butterflies and 400 species of moths and other fauna like the Ceylon Frog Moth, Great Indian Hornbill, the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush and the Lion-tailed Macaque.

The river Kunthi descends from the Nilgiri hills, an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, and traverses the entire length of the valley and rushes down to the plains through the deep forest. The river Kunthi never turns brown and is always crystal clear, perennial and wild.

The evapo-transpiration from these forests is much higher than from any other surfaces. This cools the atmosphere, helps easy condensation of water vapour and thus causes the summer rains.
 

Thatekkad Bird Sanctuary is one of the most popular National Parks of Kerala.This Bird Sanctuary is situated in the dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forests and grassland patches. Thattekad Sanctuary is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar River. The sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously. It is a home to a microcosm of India's bird population with about 500 winged species. The renowned ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali designed the Thattekad Bird sanctuary. This Bird Sanctuary is spread over an area of 25 sq. km. covered with deciduous forests and plantation of rosewood, teak etc. Rare birds like the Crimson-Throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black winged Kite, and the Night Heron are also commonly sighted here.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is a rare haven in Kerala, which offers picturesque landscapes, and is a nature lover's paradise.

Important birds found at the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary are large falcon, jungle fowl, white-breasted water hen, hornbill etc. Further, more than 28 varieties of animals and nine varieties of reptiles have accepted this area as their natural habitat.