Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Wildlife refuge in Idukki district, India.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the rain shadow of the southern Western Ghats, where annual rainfall averages only 500 mm over about 48 days. Its land falls from 2,522 m at Kumarikkal Mala to 400 m at the eastern end of the Chinnar River, with Nandala Malai (2,372 m) and Viriyoottu Malai (1,845 m) among the other peaks. Grassland and wet grassland cover much of the sanctuary, giving way to dry deciduous forest and thorny scrub of Acacia and Opuntia on the lower eastern slopes. The Munnar–Udumalpet road SH 17 crosses it for 16 km, dividing it into nearly equal parts.
The sanctuary gained its official protected status in 1984 through Kerala's conservation initiative. This designation has enabled the long-term preservation of the region's natural resources and endangered species.
Communities of Muthuvas and Pulayars live within the sanctuary boundaries, keeping traditional farming methods alive in the area. Their presence shows how people and wildlife have coexisted in this landscape for generations.
The sanctuary is accessible daily, and visitors should wear appropriate clothing for changing weather and bring sturdy footwear. Visiting in early morning hours gives the best chance of observing wildlife in their natural behavior.
Chinnar holds Kerala's only forest area with a natural habitat of the grizzled giant squirrel, and in 2016 researchers recorded 101 spider species here. The sanctuary also runs India's sole rehabilitation centre for the Indian star tortoise.
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