Neyyar

Situated in the Agasthyamalai range, Neyyar Wildlife Sactuary; a repository of some of 

the rarest medicinal herbs, the located about 32 km from Thiruvananthapuram. It is a 

popular picnic spot with a lake and a picturesque dam site. Neyyar Dam was established 

in 1958 and the lake formed by the dam across the Neyyar River. Boating in the 

reservoir will be a pleasant surprise for the tourists. Boats can be hired to explore the 

shores of the sanctuary. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation organizes (KTDC) 

tours to Neyyar Dam.

The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary of which the dam is a part is the habitat of over a 

hundred species of fauna including Asian Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, wild buffaloes, wild 

boar, Slender Loris and reptiles like King Cobra, Travancore Tortoise, etc. 176 species 

of birds, 30 species of reptiles, 17 species of amphibians and 40 species of fishes are 

reported from the sanctuary. A crocodile breeding centre and a lion safari park are also 

located in the dam site. Crocodile breeding centre has been set up in 1977 at Neyyar, is 

home to around 20 mugger crocodiles. The Steve Irwin Crocodile Rehabilitation and 

Research Centre was inaugurated at Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in May 2007. Neyyar 

Elephant Rehabilitation Centre complex within the area cares for several elephants and 

offers elephant rides and elephant feeding. There is also a Deer Rehabilitation Centre.

A yoga centre, Sivananda Ashram, is near to this place, which provides classes about 

meditation, yoga etc. for foreigners as well as for natives. Several temples are near 

Neyyardam, including the Veeranakavu Sreedharma Shastha temple and the Mangara 

Muttom Siva temple.