The crocodile farm in Neyyar dam, Kerala, India will be named after Steve Irvin, the noted wildlife conservationist. The Kerala ministry yesterday took this decision. The Chief Minister Mr. V. Achuthanandan revealed the decision in a press meeting.
Neyyar Dam
Notified as a wildlife sanctuary, the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is just 30 km from Thiruvananthapuram. This sanctuary covering an area of about 128 sq. km forms the catchment area of the Neyyar DAM. With a rugged topography of meadows and slopes, altitudes ranging from 90 to 1800 meters above sea level, the sanctuary is contiguous with the Kalakkadu Tiger Reserve and Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary in TamilNadu. The famous Agasthyamala and the Meenmutty falls form part of this sanctuary.
The sanctuary has a remarkable diversity of vegetation. There are over 1000 species of flowering plants, including some of the best orchids in the world. The faunal diversity is rich and fascinating. The endangered primates, the lion-tailed macaque and the Nilgiri languor share the ever green forest. Other animals like bonnet macaque and giant squirrels are seen here. Elephants, Sambhar deer, gaur, barking deer, mouse deer and wild boar.
There is a Lion Safari Park spanning an area of four hectares and the Crocodile Farm was established in 1977. Boats can be hired to explore the shores of the sanctuary. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation organizes (KTDC) tours to Neyyar Dam.
