Aaralam is a village in Thalasserry. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Northern most protected area in Kannur district of Kerala. It is situated in South east Kannur District surrounded with huge Evergreen trees covering about 55sq km. In the evergreen areas the following species are found: vellapine (Vateria indica), Mesua ferrea, Mechilus macrantha, Calophyllum elatum, Cullenia rosayroona, Magnifera indica, Toona cillata, Myristica Species, Euphorbia Longana, Strobilanthes.
The common trees in the semievergreen areas are Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Hopea parviflora, Largestroemia lanceolata, Xyliaxylocarpa, Mallotus, Philippinensis. Covered with tropical and evergreen forests, the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats.
Aralam is a contiguous block of forests stretching to the adjacent Wayanad-Brahmagiri and Wayanad northern slopes. The forests are also contiguous with the protected areas of the Karnataka state namely the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and also with the forests of Coorg and assume much importance in meta population management especially with regard to the case of larger mammals such as Gaur, Elephant, Tiger and endemic primates such as Lion tailed macaque, and Nilgiri Langur.
The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is enriched with several streams and rivers. The Cheenkannipuzha, a major tributary to the Valapattanam River originates from the forests of Aralam and this river is very crucial in controlling the bio-diversity and agro-economy and fishery-economy of Kannur. Perennial nature of the river is very much depended on the watershed services provided by the Aralam forests.
The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 55 sq km of undulating forested highlands on the slopes of the Western Ghats. The highest peak here - Katti Betta - rises to a majestic 1145 m above sea level.
Aralam is also noted for the Central State Farm, a 3060 hectare farm started in 1971 by the Government of India. This is one of the main production centres of hybrid coconut seeds in the country.
