Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary near Idukki

Travel to India > Idukki > Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary near Idukki

Idukki is considered to be the biggest and the greenest district of Kerala. A number of new national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and bird sanctuaries have been proposed in this district and the government of Kerala is going full fledged to declare these regions as protected areas of the state. The district comprises of many hill stations and other tourist destinations. Thattekkad bird sanctuary is another famous tourist spot and protected area of the state.

Also known as the Salim Ali bird sanctuary, the Thattekkad bird sanctuary was established in 1983 by one of the most renowned ornithologist of the country, Dr. Salim Ali. The exact location of the bird sanctuary is Kothamangalam in Idukki. The Thattekkad bird sanctuary is home to a whopping 500 species of birds. The green forest cover and the concentrated tropical deciduous cover of this protected area provide a natural habitat to a number of species of birds.

Located between two tributaries of the Periyar River, this sanctuary covers an area of 25 square kilometers. The sanctuary proves to be paradise for those who love birds and who admire natural beauty. Some of the species of birds which are found in the Thettekkad bird sanctuary are as follows. Blue winged parakeet, rose biled roller, white breasted water hen, jungle fowl, crimson throated barbet, bee eater, black winged kite, falcon grey, shrike, ceylon frogmoth, night heron, sunbird and hornbill.

Tourists get a lot of options after visiting the Thattekkad bird sanctuary. Tourists can also find around 28 species of animals. Leopard, porcupine and bear are found in abundance and are very famous amongst tourists. Tourists can also view herds of elephants in this sanctuary. Pythons and cobras are some of the significant reptiles in the sanctuary.

Birds and animals are not the only attractions of this bird sanctuary. Thattekkad bird sanctuary also flourishes in a variety of plants. Teak, Rosewood and Mahogany are found in large numbers in this prominent bird sanctuary. Dense cover of Teak, Rosewood and Mahogany is responsible for the green blanket of the sanctuary.



Thattekkad bird sanctuary is easily accessible by air, road and by rail. Kochi is the nearest airport which is located at a distance of around 70 kilometers from the sanctuary. Aluva on the other hand is the nearest railway station, which is located at a distance of 48 kilometers from the sanctuary. Thattekkad bird sanctuary is also well connected by roads. Hence the state government has made sure that the tourists should not face any problem in reaching to the sanctuary

The government has established a three storied tower in the sanctuary. Although there is no electricity in the sanctuary but government has provided the area with few solar power lamps. Accommodation facilities in PWD rest houses and lodges in Kothamangalam are very popular amongst tourists