Nature at its best

After one hour of smooth drive along the Ponmudi route, take a deviation from Vayanashala junction to the right. The rusted sign board directs you to Peppara dam which is around 9.5 kms from the main road. Going ahead on this country road, you see dry and green grasslands on both the sides along with eucalyptus and acacia trees sloping down the bountiful mountain ranges. The sight makes anyone fall to the spell of the mesmerizing woods. If you are overwhelmed seeing this sight , stop for a while to experience the fresh earthy smell. All around you get to hear the screeching sound of the crickets. As the wind passes through the cluster of trees making them rattle, it sounds like a symphony. Once in a while village ladies are seen carrying firewood on their heads to their houses. Moving further, to one’s surprise after all the greenery, you see barren mountains with burned tree stumps. Looks like a stretch of desert. Were the trees destroyed in a forest fire? The truth is, planters who wants to plant new trees, after chopping off the old ones, burn its roots to prevent it from growing any more. If you are lucky enough you can see a few workers on tree tops called anamadam, a miniature of tree houses, where the night workers in the plantations can seek refuge. After 15 minutes of travel form the main road you see the entrance of the Peppara dam. Parking your vehicles outside, after entering your name and address in the register at the gate, walk through the narrow trail which takes you to the dam. Walking along the pathway of the dam, watch for the islands. When the shutters of the dam are opened, water level rises, leaving may islands immersed in water. As the dam roadway ends, the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary begins. Without prior permission from the authorities, no one is permitted beyond the limits of the dam to the sanctuary. There you might come across the security-in-charge, who will tell you more about the place. Walking seven kilometres within the sanctuary, there are five tribal colonies named- Kamalakam, Pothodu, Podiyam, Podiyakala and Kunnatheri. Tribals are the only lucky ones who get to see the wildlife of the forest. It is believed that all wild animals except lions live in the forest. The walk will take you near the waters, but it is safer to stay away as the water is muddy. The cloud clad mountains surrounding the dam is a sight even for sore eyes.