The sanctuary was established in the year 1984 based on the recommendations of a circle level committee constituted vide G.O. (Rt) No.180/84/AD dated 19-1-84 to identify forest areas in the various circles rich in wildlife. Besides the suggestions of the above committee, the opinion of the State wildlife Advisory Board also weighed in favour of the formation of Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary was constituted in the year 1984 as per GO (P) 300/84/AD dated 15-10-84. It was formed by carving out areas from the Odanthode Malavaram of Thalassery special division which was an erstwhile private forest, subsequently taken over by Govt. as per the provisions of the Kerala Private Forests (Vesting and assignment) Act 1971 and from the Kottiyoor RF of Wayanad Forest Division. Till 30.6.98 this sanctuary was a Range in Wayanad Wildlife Division. It started functioning as an independent Wildlife Division since 01.07.1998 as per GO (MS) 36/98 dated 27.05.1998.