Kerala has 18 wildlife sanctuaries covering 2156.21 sq km, each zoned into core, buffer and tourism areas

Background

Wildlife sanctuaries are legally protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
The Kerala Forest Department records that Kerala contributes 18 sanctuaries, covering 2156.21 sq km.
India has an extensive network of 573 wildlife sanctuaries spanning 123,762.56 sq km, which is 3.76% of the country's geographical area.
Each sanctuary is managed under a plan that divides its area into a core zone where human interference is prohibited, a buffer zone with controlled human activities, and a tourism zone which lies within the buffer zone itself.
The Choolannur Peafowl Sanctuary safeguards the threatened Grey Junglefowl, and the Kurinjimala Sanctuary protects the endangered Nilgiri tahr and nurtures the Neelakurinji flower, known for its once-in-12-year bloom.
The Thattekad Bird Sanctuary safeguards vulnerable bird species such as the Great Hornbill, while the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary represents a coastal mangrove ecosystem.
The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary provides habitat for the endangered Asian elephant, and the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary carries lush rainforest.
The Periyar and Parambikulam sanctuaries are also tiger reserves.