“Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps the singing Bird will come”, it is a famous Chinese proverb. If we visit the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary we will understand how trues this proverb to be.
Entering the forest we will hear the melodious high pitch notes of various beautiful birds. Going further you will find that the musical resonance change with natural moods. If you try to concentrate in the music it will be so much soothing and relaxing that you will love to come here again and again. You will feel it is the real place to meditate and relax.
Thattekkad was developed by the untiring efforts of India’s birdman Dr.Salim Ali. The Sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years back.Mr. Ali described Thattekkad in the 1930’s as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas.
This Sanctuary covers the tributaries and tiny streams of the Periyar and its elevation ranges between 35m and 523m above sea level. The Sanctuary is a mixture of tropical evergreen forests, tropical semi-evergreen forests and tropical deciduous forests. This outstanding natural beauty comes in the state of Kerala,South India. Thattekad now renamed Dr.Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in honour of India’s legendary ornithologist, is home to around 300 species of indigenous and migratory birds. It is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district in the northern bank of Periyar River. Close to Munnar along the lower reaches of the Western Ghats, the Sanctuary attracts nature lovers and bird watchers in droves. The Sanctuary provides the perfect setting for research on bird studies.
Thattekad is a beautiful mix of deciduous, tropical evergreen and grassland vegetation. Teak, rosewood, jungle jack and red sandalwood are foundabundantly here along with the huge Tetrameles nudiflora, and the rare telli, which has an aromatic sap used for making incense.
The Birds in this sanctuary are Indian Roller, Cuckoo, Common snipe, Crow pheasant, Jungle Nightjar, Kite, Grey Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Woodpecker, Large pied Wagt
Entering the forest we will hear the melodious high pitch notes of various beautiful birds. Going further you will find that the musical resonance change with natural moods. If you try to concentrate in the music it will be so much soothing and relaxing that you will love to come here again and again. You will feel it is the real place to meditate and relax.
Thattekkad was developed by the untiring efforts of India’s birdman Dr.Salim Ali. The Sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years back.Mr. Ali described Thattekkad in the 1930’s as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas.
This Sanctuary covers the tributaries and tiny streams of the Periyar and its elevation ranges between 35m and 523m above sea level. The Sanctuary is a mixture of tropical evergreen forests, tropical semi-evergreen forests and tropical deciduous forests. This outstanding natural beauty comes in the state of Kerala,South India. Thattekad now renamed Dr.Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in honour of India’s legendary ornithologist, is home to around 300 species of indigenous and migratory birds. It is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district in the northern bank of Periyar River. Close to Munnar along the lower reaches of the Western Ghats, the Sanctuary attracts nature lovers and bird watchers in droves. The Sanctuary provides the perfect setting for research on bird studies.
Thattekad is a beautiful mix of deciduous, tropical evergreen and grassland vegetation. Teak, rosewood, jungle jack and red sandalwood are foundabundantly here along with the huge Tetrameles nudiflora, and the rare telli, which has an aromatic sap used for making incense.
The Birds in this sanctuary are Indian Roller, Cuckoo, Common snipe, Crow pheasant, Jungle Nightjar, Kite, Grey Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Woodpecker, Large pied Wagt
ail, Baya sparrow, Grey jungle fowl, Indian hill myna, Robin, Jungle babbler and darter are found here.
Crimson-throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sun bird, Shrike, Fairy blue bird, Grey-headed fishing eagle, Blackwinged
Crimson-throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sun bird, Shrike, Fairy blue bird, Grey-headed fishing eagle, Blackwinged
kite, Night heron, Grey heron, Common Grey Hornbill and Malabar Hornbill are some of the rare birds found. Apart from this the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary also houses Mammals like-Elephant, Leopard, Sloth Bear, and Porcupine.
Climate
The Sanctuary has a composed climate. It is mostly cool throughout the year but monsoon can be really wet and soggy. It is best to avoid the Sanctuary is best avoided during the monsoon time of July and August. The best time to visit September to March. Rainfall averages around 2500 mm annually.
Things to remember while visiting the Forest
To enjoy and explore the Sanctuary completely you have to follow certain rules. If you wish to spot wild animals you have to keep total silence and discipline. It is better to visit with small groups. You have to arrange early morning and late afternoons visit to the forest, because it is the ideal time to enter the forest. The Sanctuary prohibited travelling alone especially in the Elephant Reserves. You can seek the assistance of a forest guard while going into the forests. Don’t wear colourful clothes or perfumes. Khakis, browns and green are best suited and carry your drinking water and food. You have to respect the animals and their habits so do not disturb or tease animals. Do not litter the surroundings, and do not remove anything from the Sanctuary. So try not to carry tape recorders and radios. You can carry note pad, flash light, road maps, and bus, train and airline time-tables. For safety you can take first aid kit with medicines for common ailments. If you are taking boat ride in Periyar don’t do anything that will rock the boat or endanger lives.
Accommodation
There is a three-storied watch tower inside the Sanctuary with two beds, a toilet and a kitchen. No electricity here but there are few solar power lamps. A forest department inspection bungalow called Hornbill is located near the Sanctuary entrance. There is a dormitory just inside the Sanctuary which is ideal for large groups. Accommodation is also available at the PWD rest house near the Bhoothathan Kutt Dam and in lodges in kothamangalam.
Climate
The Sanctuary has a composed climate. It is mostly cool throughout the year but monsoon can be really wet and soggy. It is best to avoid the Sanctuary is best avoided during the monsoon time of July and August. The best time to visit September to March. Rainfall averages around 2500 mm annually.
Things to remember while visiting the Forest
To enjoy and explore the Sanctuary completely you have to follow certain rules. If you wish to spot wild animals you have to keep total silence and discipline. It is better to visit with small groups. You have to arrange early morning and late afternoons visit to the forest, because it is the ideal time to enter the forest. The Sanctuary prohibited travelling alone especially in the Elephant Reserves. You can seek the assistance of a forest guard while going into the forests. Don’t wear colourful clothes or perfumes. Khakis, browns and green are best suited and carry your drinking water and food. You have to respect the animals and their habits so do not disturb or tease animals. Do not litter the surroundings, and do not remove anything from the Sanctuary. So try not to carry tape recorders and radios. You can carry note pad, flash light, road maps, and bus, train and airline time-tables. For safety you can take first aid kit with medicines for common ailments. If you are taking boat ride in Periyar don’t do anything that will rock the boat or endanger lives.
Accommodation
There is a three-storied watch tower inside the Sanctuary with two beds, a toilet and a kitchen. No electricity here but there are few solar power lamps. A forest department inspection bungalow called Hornbill is located near the Sanctuary entrance. There is a dormitory just inside the Sanctuary which is ideal for large groups. Accommodation is also available at the PWD rest house near the Bhoothathan Kutt Dam and in lodges in kothamangalam.
How to reach
The nearest airport is in Kochi, 71 kms. The new airport at Nedumbassery is probably closer.Aluva is the nearest railway station, 48kms. The Sanctuary is 13 km north-east of Kothamangalam along the Pooyamkutti Road. Regular buses are available. Buses ply every 20 minutes from Ernakulam’s Central Bus Stand to Kothamangalam and from there to Thattekad.
Nearest places to visit
Nearest attractions are Alleppey, cardamom Hills, and Backwater Boat Cruises. You can also go to Periyar Tiger Reserve, Madurai, Cochin, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Munnar. Something you should not miss in Kerala is Backwaters and Beaches. Also taste the exclusive South India cuisine here.
