Located about 72kms from Thiruvananthapuram, the State Capital of
Kerala, God's Own Country, the southern most State of India. Thenmala is
a small village at the foothills of Western Ghats and predominantly a
forest area. The famous Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary is the most
important ecotourism resource of Thenmala Ecotourism. This Wildlife
Sanctuary is of about 100 sq. km. and harbors large varieties of flora
and fauna.
Thenmala : "Then + Mala" , i.e. in local parlance "Then"
means honey and "Mala" means hillock i.e. it mean honey hills. The honey
collected from Thenmala forest region is of good quality and of high
medicinal value because of the unique floristic composition of the
forests.
General Information
(Thenmala Grama Panchayat: the local self Government) | |||
Total population | 24,212, | ||
Altitude | Between 100-600 m above MSL | ||
Climate | The hottest months are March to May and the coldest, December and January. The maximum temperature during daytime in the hottest month is about 39oC. The daily temperature varies from 17oC to 35oC. | ||
Rainfall | Southwest Monsoon: May to August extends up to September Northeast Monsoon: late September, October and November Average rainfall 2600 - 3000 mm | ||
Languages spoken | Malayalam, Tamil & English | ||
Season | Throughout the year | ||
Clothing | Tropical |
Ecotourism is a new concept in tourism. It is a purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the cultural and natural history of environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while producing economic opportunities that make conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people. In short, ecotourism can be conceptualised as
"Any tourism programme that is
- nature based,
- ecologically sustainable,
- where education and interpretation is a major component and
- where local people are benefited
THENMALA ECOTOURISM
Tourism Department, Government of Kerala, India has taken
steps to give focussed attention to ecotourism in the State. A separate
ecotourism wing has been created to give policy support for the
development of the ecotourism destinations in the State. Accordingly a
project for the first planned ecotourism destination (Thenmala
Ecotourism Project) has been formulated in and around Shenduruney
Wildlife Sanctuary with the co-operation of departments such as Forest,
Irrigation and Tourism. In order to give flexibility in management for
the development of this destination, a separate Society, the Thenmala
Ecotourism Promotion Society (TEPS) has been constituted.
"Thenmala Ecotourism" has been conceived as a first planned
ecotourism destination in India and the initial stages of implementation
is completed.
The major objectives of this project are
1. To develop Thenmala dam and its surroundings as a major tourist destination.
2. To promote Ecotourism on the basis of sound principles of ecological sustainability in the surrounding areas of Thenmala.
3. To have a well planned tourism destination with
emphasis on sustainable tourism development so as to become a model for
other destination development programmes.
When the idea of developing Thenmala as a tourism destination was
mooted seriously in 1996, it was decided to develop it as an ecotourism
destination by keeping the degraded forest area, in the outskirts of the
Sanctuary, as a familiarization zone. The studies and discussions
followed helped to evolve a strategy to control the mass tourism within
the outer limits of the Sanctuary. Hence the ecotourism products, which
are developed within Sanctuary, are expected to be supply driven, which
eventually takes care of ecological sustainability. It was also planned
to have satellite centers in various places in Western Ghats mountainous
region within a radius of 50 km from Thenmala. The familiarisation
zones thus created function as area for soft ecotourists.
Eco-friendly General Tourism is planned in the periphery of the
sanctuary so that pressure of tourism will not affect sanctuary. The
real ecotourism is to take place in sanctuary and only ecotourists are
encouraged for that. Others can experience the ecofriendly products such
as small nature trails, elevated walkway through canopies, mountain
biking etc. This will give them a feeling of what awaits as ecotourism
in the sanctuary area, for which they have to wait since it is supply
driven. This was a consciously developed management strategy after
analysing what is happening in various sanctuaries by way of tourist
pressure.
Facilities such as boating in the Sanctuary reservoir, boardwalk,
sculpture garden, amphitheatre, Musical Dancing Fountain, etc. are also
provided at Thenmala for soft ecotourists. An Environmental education
and interpretation center is also being set up at Thenmala.
Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society adopted a strategy to
co-ordinate with Forest Department, the Irrigation Department and
Tourism Department and implement various activities in association with
each Department.
Private initiative is expected in areas such as providing
accommodation, transportation facility etc. No permanent constructions
are made in forest areas. Accommodations for tourists are developed
outside the forests, at a distance.
To make this project a great success Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion
Society (TEPS) entrusted the conduct of Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) to Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). KFRI had conducted EIA
for the destination and the satellite spots. Further, on the
recommendations of KFRI and on the basis of the Environmental Impact
Assessment, TEPS amended the activities so as to minimise the negative
impacts of the project.
The products such as trekking, bird watching trails etc. is being
developed and operationalised through the institution of Eco-development
Committees / Participatory Forest Management Committees (locally known
as Vana Samrakshna Samithi (VSS)), thereby ensuring local benefits from
ecotourism. Forest Department has already evolved expertise in the
formulation of Eco-development Committees and VSS through
institutionalised means. This will help in channelising the benefits of
ecotourism to the local people, which will ultimately elicit support of
local community for forest protection and conservation.
Thenmala ecotourism project is the first planned ecotourism
project/destination in the country. In many other cases it was just
renaming of an already existing "nature tourism". Here from the very
beginning efforts have been taken to imbibe the internationally accepted
principles of ecotourism in the planning process as well as in
implementation. A conscious management strategy has been evolved to
create a familiarization zone to limit the impacts in sensitive
ecosystems to the minimum. Another important feature is the
institutionalizing of co-ordination mechanism among Forests, Irrigation
and Tourism Departments, Local Community, Local Self Government and
other stake holders.
In short "Thenmala ecotourism" is a learning experience. Our idea is
to make this destination qualitatively better by getting valuable
feedback from all esteemed visitors and there by strive for excellence
in the area of conservation of natural resources and authentic tourism
experience.
Thiruvananthapuram - 72 Kms
Kollam - 66 Kms
Pathanamthitta - 31 Kms
Alappuzha - 152 (Via NH Kollam) - 137 (Via Haripad -Cheganoor- Adoor) - 126 (Via Kayamkulam - Adoor) - 123 (Via Changanassery - Adoor)
Kottayam - 121Kms (Via KTR) - 110 Kms(Via Adoor)
Idukki - 239 Kms
Thekkady - 176 Kms
Munnar - 284 Kms
Ernakulam - 214 Kms (Via NH Kollam) - 199 Kms (Via Haripad -Cheganoor- Adoor) - 191 Kms (Via
Kottayam - Kottarakara) - 188 Kms (Via Kayamkulam - Adoor) - 180 Kms (Via Kottayam - Adoor)
Thrissur - 292 Kms (Via NH Kollam) - 255 Kms (Via Kottarakara MC Road) - 244 Kms (Via Adoor MC Road)
Palakkad - 360 Kms (Via NH Kollam) - 323 Kms (Via Kottarakara MC Road) - 312 Kms (Via Adoor MC Road)
Malappuram - 411 Kms (Via Thrissur-Kottarakara MC Road) - + 40 Kms (Via NH Kollam)
Kozhikkode - 397 Kms (Via Thrissur-Kottarakara MC Road) - + 40 Kms (Via NH Kollam)
Wayanad - 470 Kms (Via Thrissur-Kottarakara MC Road) - + 40 Kms (Via NH Kollam)
Kannur - 487 Kms (Via Thrissur-Kottarakara MC Road) - + 40 Kms (Via NH Kollam)
Kasaragod - 603 Kms (Via Thrissur-Kottarakara MC Road) - + 40 Kms (Via NH Kollam)
This zone accommodates various activities, which favours Ecofriendly General Tourism. Restaurant, Shop court, Amphitheatre etc help the tourists understand the Kerala cusines, Kerala crafts and natural wealth and Kerala's Art, Culture etc. An open air Musical Dancing Fountain which is considered, as "Natures Dance" is another major attraction here.
Nakshatravanam
Book on Nakshatravanam
If interested to purchase a book providing the details of
Nakshatravanam titled “Stars & Trees-Trees of the Nakshatravanam” it
is available at the facilitation Counter at a cost of Rs.250/-. The
book published by Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society with research
support from Tropical Botanical garden and Research Institute, Palode.
Butterfly Safari
Tourism Facilitation Center Accommodates
- Well-conceived information center explaining The wide range of Tourism products available at Thenmala.
- Shop Courts - Run by Local Women Self Help Groups.
- Toilet facilities
- Well informed staff to provide personal attention.
- Functions from 09.00 am to 7.30 pm on all days.
Musical Dancing Fountain
A synchronized rhythmic ballet of water, sound and light
located in the natural surroundings. Such a natural ambience is very
rare and hence provides a unique and authentic experience.This zone accommodates various activities, which favours Ecofriendly General Tourism. Restaurant, Shop court, Amphitheatre etc help the tourists understand the Kerala cusines, Kerala crafts and natural wealth and Kerala's Art, Culture etc. An open air Musical Dancing Fountain which is considered, as "Natures Dance" is another major attraction here.
Sculpture Garden
The theme of the Garden is MAN AND NATURE. It endeavors to depict
the relationship of MAN and his culture with NATURE, in the serene
backdrop of a green forest - i.e. unpolluted nature - synchronizing with
the Thenmala Forests. Interesting circulation pathways around the
sculptures and the integration of the natural features in zone gives the
sculpture garden it's own exclusivity.The activities in this zone favors adventure tourism. The attractions in this area are the Elevated Walkway, The Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, River Crossing, Nature Trails, Resting Spots, Lotus Pond, etc. The nature trail winding through various areas of the zone attracts a large number of nature tourists.
Elevated walkway
Elevated path mediating and exploring the
drastic level changes in the zone originates from the deck plaza and
through the canopy of the trees ends up in the old Thiruvananthapuram
Shenkottah road. The walkway flies over rocky areas though the canopy of
large trees providing an aerial view of various features here. The
traveler can explore the flora and fauna of the region from over the
forest canopy. Here in Elevated Walkway, one can hear the songs of the
wind, listen to its fancy melody while taking a walk through the canopy
of trees. One can also hear the melodious chirps of birds while enjoying
a bird's view of the awe-inspiring beauty of Mother Nature.
Adventure activities
Mountain Biking, River Crossing, Recreational Rock Climbing, Rappelling.
BOATING IN THE SHENDURUNEY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
- One hour duration
- Trasported to boatlanding by teps vehicles through forest to sensitize tourists on non-polluting sources of energy.
- Sightings - Elephants, Bison, Sambar etc.
- Unique scenic beauty and hillocks of high lush evergreen forests.
DEER REHABILITATION CENTER
- Established to give protection to deer that are strayed out from forests.
- Deer's protected - Spotted deer, Sambar deer, Barking deer
- Tree top huts for family day spending,
- Children's eco-park
- Short Riverside trek
PALARUVI FALLS
- 16 km from Thenmala towards Shenkotah
- 300 ft height
- Amidst evergreen forests
- Managed by local people
Contact Ph: 0475-2211200
Rate: Entry fee Rs.7/- Adult, Free for children below 13 years of age and students as part of educational trips. Parking fee extra.
Contact address: Divisional Forest Officer. Thenmala Forest Division, Thenmala
Ph: 0475-2344521
TREKKING
Soft Trekking Distance – 4 kms
Route: Trekking to a Myristica Swamp Forest
Patch. Conducted by TEPS.
Adult (Rs. 50/-)
Child (Rs. 30/-)
International Tourist - Rs. 100/-)
Maximum trekkers 19 Minimum No. 5 in one trip.
Minimum charge Rs.250/- per trek
Tax applicable
Soft trekking programmes and night camps for one to three days conducted at Thenmala by National Adventure Foundation. One to three days guided trekking tours and bird watching trails in Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary.
Riverine biking trail Route: Cycling to a Myristica Swamp Forest Patch. Conducted by TEPS.
Adult (Rs. 100/-)
International Tourist - Rs. 150/-)
Maximum trekkers 4 Minimum No. 2 in one trip.
Minimum charge Rs.200/- per trip
Tax applicable
Trekking in Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary (contact 0475-2344600)
- Nature Walk (1/2 day trekking programme) Duration 6 hrs Distance 10 kms Rs.600/- for 10 persons. Rs.75/- per extra person Maximum 20 persons. Start time of trekking 7.00 a.m. & 11.00a.m
- Kananayathra (One Day trekking) Duration 8 hrs Distance 20kms Rs.1000/- for 5 persons Rs.250/- per extra person Maximum 10 persons. Food inclusive. Start time of trekking 7.00 a.m. & 11.00a.m