Periyar Tiger Reserve, a well known protected area in southern India, is located in which state?

Introduction / Context:
Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the most famous wildlife reserves in southern India, known for its scenic lake, evergreen forests and populations of elephants and tigers. It is also a popular tourist destination. Exam questions frequently require linking such reserves with the correct state, so that candidates demonstrate both environmental and regional awareness.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The question names Periyar Tiger Reserve.

We are asked in which Indian state this reserve is located.

Options are Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Uttarakhand.

We assume present state boundaries and standard locations of tiger reserves.

Concept / Approach:
Periyar Tiger Reserve is situated in the Western Ghats of Kerala, around the Periyar lake formed by the Mullaperiyar dam. The nearest well known town is Thekkady in Kerala. While the Periyar river does flow into Tamil Nadu and the dam is a point of inter state discussion, the reserve itself is geographically located within Kerala. Telangana and Uttarakhand have their own reserves, but none called Periyar. The approach is therefore to clearly connect Periyar Tiger Reserve with Kerala.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Periyar is the name of both a river and a large reservoir lake in the Western Ghats.Step 2: Remember that Periyar Tiger Reserve surrounds this lake and is accessed from Thekkady, which is in Kerala.Step 3: Compare this knowledge with the options: Telangana and Uttarakhand are far from the Western Ghats, and Tamil Nadu is adjacent but does not host the core area of the reserve.Step 4: Select Kerala as the state in which Periyar Tiger Reserve is located.

Verification / Alternative check:
Maps of Indian tiger reserves and official wildlife conservation documents list Periyar Tiger Reserve under Kerala. Tourism brochures and travel websites also describe it as a Kerala destination, often mentioning the Kerala Forest Department s management of the reserve. Tamil Nadu is mentioned mainly in relation to water sharing issues around the Mullaperiyar dam, but not as the home state of the reserve itself. Telangana and Uttarakhand are not connected with the Periyar river or this particular reserve at all.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Telangana is an inland state in central southern India and does not contain the Western Ghats section where Periyar Tiger Reserve lies.
Tamil Nadu is a neighbouring state and shares an interest in the Mullaperiyar dam, but the core protected area of Periyar Tiger Reserve is within Kerala s boundaries.
Uttarakhand is in the Himalayan region, home to reserves like Corbett and Rajaji, but it has no reserve named Periyar.
Hence, these states do not match the specific location of Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Common Pitfalls:
Because water from the Periyar river is diverted into Tamil Nadu, some learners incorrectly assume that the reserve may also be in Tamil Nadu. Others may confuse Periyar with similarly prominent reserves like Corbett or Kanha and place it in the wrong state. The best way to avoid this is to remember a clear association: Periyar lake and Periyar Tiger Reserve are major attractions of Kerala in the Western Ghats, accessible via Thekkady.

Final Answer:
Periyar Tiger Reserve is located in the state of Kerala.