The area that is now Periyar Tiger Reserve was initially the hunting grounds of the Travancore royal family. Recognizing the ecological importance of the region, the Maharaja of Travancore declared a portion of it as a reserve in 1934, known as the Nellikkampetty Game Sanctuary. Further conservation efforts led to the formation of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in 1950. The construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam in 1895 created the Periyar Lake, which significantly altered the ecosystem and became an integral part of the reserve. In 1978, the sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger, a national initiative to conserve the tiger population in India. Since then, the reserve has focused on protecting its tiger population, preserving its biodiversity, and promoting sustainable tourism.