This one-time rubber plantation was declared a sanctuary in 1984, with the help of the late Dr Salim Ali, renowned ornithologist. Nearly 320 species of birds thrive here. Scores of crow pheasants, nightjars, drongos, woodpeckers, robins, babblers and darters colonise the towering trees. Rare birds such as the crimson-throated barbet, bee-eater, fairy blue bird, grey-headed fishing eagle, peninsular bay owl, night heron and the Malabar grey hornbill are also found
           Sprawled over an undulating area, this sanctuary has tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, interspersed with plantations of teak and mahogany. The wildlife found here includes elephants, leopards, sloth bears, mongoose, slender Loris, porcupines, pythons and king cobras.