- Situated in the Southern part of India and in the state of Kerala, Cochin or Kochi is a small and beautiful port city. The fishermen's village is the greatest attraction of Cochin. But apart from that there are many more things to see and places to visit in Cochin and its surroundings. There are beautiful green islands on the sea, temples and churches and the city and some wild lives. While talking about wildlife in Cochin one cannot forget to speak about Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary is also popular as Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Dr Salim Ali, who described Thattekad as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India during 1930s, recommended the name of the region to be notified as a bird sanctuary and was notified in 1983.
- Location: Situated at Thattekad in the Ernakulam district, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is one of the most important of its type in the Southern part of the country. Reaching Thattekad from Bhoothathankettu on a boat cruise would surely be an unforgettable experience for you. It is located 13 km North-East of Kothamangalam along the Pooyamkutti road. Aluva, located at a distance of 48 kilometers is the nearest railway station. You may also reach the sanctuary straight from the airport which is located at a distance of 71 kilometers. The nearest railway station is Aluva at a distance of 48 km. Kochi, the nearest airport is 71 km away. The new airport at Nedumbassery is probably closer.
- About the sanctuary: Actually Thattekad was a huge evergreen and widespread lowland forest. Now a large part of the area has been converted into agricultural and plantation areas and the sanctuary survives in a small area of 25 square kilometers where you would find more than 270 species of birds. Some of the most popular species of birds that you must not miss while traveling in Thattekad Bird Sanctuary are mottled wood owl, spot-bellied eagle owl, Malayan night heron, Sri Lanka frogmouth, rusty-tailed flycatcher, grey-headed bulbul and Nilgiri wood pigeon. The other important species of birds observed in Thattekad Bird Sanctuary are Collocalia unicolour Indian swiftlet, Ocyceros grieus Malabar grey-hornbill, Spizaetus cirrhatus changeable hawk-eagle, Anhinga melanogaster oriental darter and Ardea cinerea grey heron.
- Accommodation facilities: You may get back to Cochin by car from the bird sanctuary or may also stay in the deep forest to experience the thrill of wildlife. There is a three-storied tower inside Thattekad Bird Sanctuary where two beds, a toilet and a kitchen is available. You would not get electricity here but some solar powered lamps are available. You may also book a room in the forest department's bungalow named Hornbill which you would get to see at the entrance of the sanctuary. There is also a dormitary inside the forest where you can stay if accompanied a big group of people. The PWD rest house near Bhoothathankett dam and the lodges in Kothamangalam are other options.
For booking rooms and other information contact at
The Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Thiruvanthapuram Kerala 695014
The Wildlife Warden, Idukki Wildlife Division, Vellappara, Painavu P.O. Idukki District 685603 Phone 0486 232271
The Assistant Wildlife Warden, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Njayapilli P.O. , Kothamangalam, Kerala Phone 0485 588302
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