Malabar Wildlife sanctuary, the 16 Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala which is located in the Western Ghats, one of the 35 hotspots of world biodiversity The Sanctuary was constituted in 2009 as per GO. (P) 26/2009 & WLD dated 05.06.09 and the area included in 7421 5015 Ha (74.215015 km²). It is situated within the limits of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and also an integral part of the Wayanad Elephant Reserve under Project Elephant. This sanctuary essentially provides varied benefits to the people and also provides water for drinking, irrigation and industrial purposes in Kozhikode district of Kerala. The forests of this sanctuary feed the Kuniaty puzha which is having two reservoirs, Pervannamuzhi and Kakkayam. The dam is constructed across Kumaly river at Kakkayam and Pervannamurthi, and the water from these reservoirs are utilized for the generation of electricity and irrigation purposes. The sanctuary has a rich flora and fauna with high degree of endemism. The reservoirs and forest areas of Malahar Wildlife sanctuary is also a place of tourist attraction which is situated about 50 km northeast of Calicut town and well linked by road. It is the only protected area in the district and has tremendous scope and potential in the field of conservation, education, research and creating environmental awareness.

The history of the ownership of the forests of the sanctuary can be traced back to the 10

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