Wildlife in Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary & Dam

Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary lies on the western slopes of the Nelliyampathy Hills in Thrissur district, Kerala. Established in 1984, it covers about 85 sq km of evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forest and joins the Peechi–Vazhani Sanctuary to form a continuous protected area.

At its centre is Chimmini Dam, the largest dam in Thrissur district, built across the Kurumali (Chimmini) river and completed in 1996. Visitors come for forest treks, coracle rides on the reservoir, birdwatching and quiet views of the surrounding hills. Elephants, sambar, gaur and sloth bear live in the sanctuary, which is also home to about 160 bird species.