Chimney Dam is located in the Varandarappilly Village of Trichur district. Chimney wild life sanctuary counts among one of the Indian wild l...
Chimney Dam is located in the Varandarappilly Village of Trichur district. Chimney wild life sanctuary counts among one of the Indian wild life sanctuary and the dam was constructed across the Chimney River at 75m in the watershed area of Kunumali River and Mupliyam River. The dam supplies drinking water to the various parts of the district. The dam site is beautiful with its lush greenery landscape and locality is famous for its rubber estates.
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| Water gushes out from tunnel of Chimney Dam |
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| Water gushes out from tunnel of Chimney Dam |
Chimminy Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1984 to preserve the flora and fauna around the reservoir. It is now one of the distinguished tropical rain forests among the Indian wild life sanctuary. The dense forest range of Chimney was depleted due to deforestation by timber thieves and now the preservation programs helps in improving the conditions.
Chimney wildlife sanctuary lies adjacent to the Peechi -Vazhani wildlife sanctuary and Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary. The eastern side of sanctuary is Punda Peak at a height of 1116 metres and western valley lays Nelliyampathi.
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| Chimney Dam view in the sun set time |
Climate
The area will be warm from December to April with temperatures of 24° C to 30°C and cold climate from May to November and temperature used to decrease to 15°C. The annual average rainfall is 2980mm and this wild life sanctuary consists of 10 sq. kms of evergreen forests, 15 sq. kms of semi evergreen forests and 40 sq. kms of leaf shedding forests.
Animals like leopard, tiger, elephant, bear, wild pigs, wild bison etc are seen here.
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| The way to Chimney Dam |
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| A view of Punda Peak from Chimney Dam |
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A view of Chimney Dam site
Tourism
Kochi and Coimbatore is the nearest airport. Thrissur is the nearest important railway station. However, tourists can easily reach the sanctuary since all the important trains stop at Chalakkudy. There is a length of 24 kms from Thrissur town to Echippara, the headquarters of the sanctuary. There are many paths in the sanctuary to climb the rocks and study the forests. The sanctuary is an excellent place for trekking opportunities. |
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| Water gushes out from tunnel of Chimney Dam |
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| Water gushes out from tunnel of Chimney Dam |
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| Inspection Bungalow at Chimney Dam |
Accommodation at Chimmony Dam
Five star hotels are available in Thrissur town and there is also an inspection bungalow near the dam by Dept. of Forest. Private hotels are also available at Amballoor with best price and are very near to the dam site.
The sole tribal community of “Malaya” tribe comprising around 200 members belonging to 52 families lives within sanctuary limits. Eco-development Committee looks the development of community and the tribal based eco-tourism project initiated by the committee is doing well in the preservation of flora and fauna of this Indian wild life sanctuary.
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| Water gushes out from tunnel of Chimney Dam |
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| Spill way of Chimney Dam |
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| Chimney Dam a front view |
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| The Water fountain formed from gushing tunnel water of Chimney Dam |
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Thrissur, about 30 km.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 58 km from Thrissur town.
Local buses and taxi's will be available from Thrissur Town.
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