Kerala's eastern border is formed by the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site and recognized biodiversity hotspot.
**Notable Parks and Reserves:** * **Periyar National Park:** Located in Thekkady, famous for its wild elephant and tiger populations, as well as its scenic artificial lake. * **Eravikulam National Park:** A sanctuary for the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and home to the rare Neelakurinji flowers, which bloom once every 12 years. * **Silent Valley National Park:** One of the last pristine tracts of tropical evergreen rain forests in India. * **Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary:** Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, rich in flora and fauna, including elephants, leopards, and bison. * **Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary:** A vital stopover for migratory birds near Vembanad Lake.