Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, famous for elephants and rich biodiversity, is located in which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of important wildlife sanctuaries and their locations within India. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a very famous protected area in South India, frequently mentioned in school geography and environment chapters because of its elephant population, scenic lake and eco tourism significance.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The sanctuary in question is Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The task is to identify the Indian state in which this sanctuary is located.
• Options include Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana.
• No district name is provided, but the name Periyar gives a strong clue about state location.

Concept / Approach:
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, often called Periyar Tiger Reserve, is located in the Western Ghats of Kerala. It is centred around the Periyar Lake near Thekkady and is known for elephant herds, tigers and evergreen forests. The term Periyar itself is associated with the Periyar River and the well known Periyar Lake, both located in Kerala. Therefore, recognising this association helps you link the sanctuary to the correct state.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a major tourist destination near Thekkady. Step 2: Remember that Thekkady and the Periyar Lake are located in the state of Kerala. Step 3: Note that Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have different prominent sanctuaries, such as Mudumalai, Bandipur or Nagarjunasagar Srisailam. Step 4: Eliminate these states as they are not home to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Step 5: Select Kerala as the correct state where Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can cross check by looking at a map of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India. Kerala is marked with Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Idukki district region of the Western Ghats. Many environmental studies books and tourism brochures from Kerala explicitly describe Periyar as a key wildlife and tiger reserve in that state, which confirms this association.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Andhra Pradesh has famous protected areas such as Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve but not Periyar. Tamil Nadu has Mudumalai and Anamalai Tiger Reserves among others. Karnataka has Bandipur and Nagarhole as major sanctuaries. Telangana has Kawal and other reserves. None of these states uses the Periyar name for any major sanctuary, and the classic Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is firmly linked with Kerala.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala with Periyar related social movements associated with Tamil Nadu due to the name Periyar being used in more than one context. Another common confusion is between Periyar Sanctuary and neighbouring sanctuaries across the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. To avoid mistakes, remember that when the question refers to the famous lake based sanctuary called Periyar, the correct state is Kerala.

Final Answer:
Kerala