Established in 1984, Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses an area of about 85.067 km2 is on the Western slopes of the Nelliyampathi Hills. The highest peak in sanctuary is Punda peak (1116 m). Along with the neighboring Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary it forms a continuous protected area of 210 km2.
Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary also lies just west of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, providing some habitat connectivity with the forests of that relatively large protected area. The sanctuary consists of the watershed areas of Kurumali River and Mupliam rivers. Nestled in the sanctuary is Chimmony Dam which is built across the Chimmini river.
Flora
Trees like pali, punna, vediplavu, anjili, whitepine, kampakom, white akil, pathiri and nedunar, are seen in the upper part and trees like vetti, thetti, kara, narakom, marotti, mullilam etc are seen in the lower parts. Semi Evergreen trees like manja kadambu, ayani, elavu, pongu, white teak, manimaruthu, kanakkaitha, vakkaplavu are seen here. Leaf Shedding Trees like thakara, pala, padachi, venga, puvam, vedam korana, karimarunna, pilla marunnu, thani, irul are seen here.
Fauna
The sanctuary is an important bird area with 192 recorded avian species. Five Western Ghats endemic bird species occur here, including the grey-headed bulbul (Pycnonotus priocephalus), Indian rufous babbler (Turdoides subrufus) and white-bellied blue-flycatcher (Cyornis pallipes).
Other interesting species found here include-Ceylon frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger), Indian edible-nest swiftlet (Collocalia unicolor), Malabar trogon (Harpactes fasciatus), Malabar whistling-thrush (Myiophonus horsfieldii) and Loten's sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia) (Islam and Rahmani 2004).
A recent survey recorded the presence of the lesser fish eagle (Ichthyophaga humilis), which until recently was only known from the foothills of the Himalayas.
Headquarters
The headquarters of the sanctuary is at Echippara which is 40 km away from City of Thrissur. The sanctuary also offers trekking paths for the adventure traveller. Accommodation can be arranged at the Inspection Bungalow, near the Chimmini Dam.
Visit Permits can be obtained from: The Wildlife Warden, Peechi Wildlife Division, Peechi 680653. It comes under the Peechi Wild Life Division.
How to Reach
By Road: This wildlife sanctuary can be easily reached by Amballoor (12 km), located on the Ernakulam – Thrissur road.
Nearest Railway Station: The nearest railway station is located at Thrissur, about 35 kms.
Nearest Airport: The nearest airport is located at Kochi (Cochin) which is about 50 kms.
