Significance
The forests of the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary are an integral part of the biodiversity ‘hot spot’ that is the Western Ghats.
The geographic tract is unique by virtue of its geomorphologic and biogeographyic antiquity and evolution. The Forests of
Kakkayam and adjacent areas represent high degree of endemism characterized by presence of endemic plants and animals,
such as Philautus ochlandrae or The Reed frog that is recorded only from Kakkayam.
The Sanctuary is also abode to a number of globally threatened mammals, birds, reptiles, fishes and amphibians.
The area protected by natural barriers is a safe haven for larger mammals such as gaur, elephant, tiger and endemic primates
such as Nilgiri langur.
The forests of Wayanad and Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary constitute the macro watershed of river Kuttiadyppuzha, a major river
basin and life line of Kozhikode district. This river with it’s huge net work of tributaries and rivulets, is crucial for
the people of the Kozhikode district as water from this river feeds three reservoir constructed to meet the requirement of
drinking water needs of the district, for generation of electricity to the entire state, and water for irrigation for the
cultivations of seven panchayths spreading across eight assembly constituencies in the district. It is the only Protected
Area in the district and has tremendous scope in the field of conservation education, research and creating environmental
awareness.