After exploring all the major tourist spots, I had ample time left to be a part of an excursion where I could explore the wilds of Tamil Nadu. Thankfully, I had a guide like Murlidharan who helped me throughout my tour in Tamil Nadu. It was him who told me that out of 1,30,058 sq-kms land area in Tamil Nadu, 17.6% is covered with forest area. These spread over the plains and on mountain slopes.

"Sir, although Tamil Nadu has many sanctuaries but we will explore only the major ones." And I some how liked the idea. As a matter of fact, Murlidharan acquainted me with the popular sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu - the Anamalai (Indira Gandhi) Sanctuary, Calimere Sanctuary, Kalakadu Sanctuary, Mundanthurai Tiger Sanctuary, Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary, Mudumalai Sanctuary Sanctuary and National Park, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and The Viralimalai Sanctuary.

Out of all, I explored the major sanctuaries that included Annamalia Sanctuary , Madumalai Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and the Viramalai Sanctuary. Annamalai or Indira Gandhi Sanctuary was the best of all. Located at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the western ghats near Pollachi, the sanctuary is 958 Sq/ km and encompass the wild fauna like elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth bear, pangolin, black headed oriole, green pigeon and civet cat. Within the sanctuary lies the Amaravathy reservoir that has large number of crocodiles. Apart from its scenic wild ambiance, I got the chance to explore few tourist spot such as Karain Shoal.

Madhumalai Sanctuary was another wildlife reserve in Tamil Nadu that I explored and hold some very fond memories. Located 65 Kms away from Udhagamandalam, Madhumalai Sanctuary covers an area of about 321 Sq.km. wide sanctuary. Interestingly, it beholded a National Park spread in an area of 103 sq.kms within its circumference. With a varied mixture of flat land, undulating parkland, open grassland, swamp, valleys and nullas, the park encompasses fauna like Elephants, Gaur, Bonnet Macaque, Common langur, tigers and leopards, Chital, dhole panther, Sloth Bear, Python, barking deer, Four- Horned Antelope, Otter, Crocodiles (mugger), Giant flying squirrel, Sambar, Hyena, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Jackal, Hare, Parcupine and Mongoose.