Why is it in the news?
Initiated Phase III of All India Tiger Estimation 2025–26.
Aims to assess tiger population across the country.
Category: Environment
Important Points:
● Located in Idukki district, Kerala
● Named after Periyar River
● Situated in Cardamom and Pandalam Hills of Western Ghats
● Highest peak: Kottamala (2016 m)
● Drained by Periyar and Pamba rivers
● Surrounds Periyar Lake created in 1895
● Mullaperiyar Dam located within the reserve
● Vegetation includes evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests
● Fauna includes tiger, elephant, Nilgiri langur and lion-tailed macaque