Thenmala Eco Tourism

Thenmala is the first planned Eco tourism destination in India. The uniqueness and enormity of leisure options offered here are playing a vital role in the popularity of Thenmala. Thenmala is actually a ‘Honey Hill’. In local parlance ‘Then’ means ‘Honey’ and ‘mala’ means ‘hill lock’. Honey collected from this region is of high quality and very much in demand. Thenmala provides equal opportunities for leisure, fun and adventure and showcase the importance of preserving the nature for the future generations. On arrival at Thenmala the visitor is briefed with all relevant information about the attractions, facilities and cautions to be taken regarding the project by trained staff. Three major zones – Cultural, Leisure and Adventure zone are at Thenmala. 

In cultural zone visitor can wallow in various activities like tasting the authentic Kerala dishes in the restaurant, Memento shopping, glance at the Kerala Art & Culture and amphitheater visit. The highlight of culture zone is the open air Musical Dancing Fountain. A tourism facilitation counter is operating here to promote the tourism products of Thenmala.

Leisure zone leads to outdoor activities which include a boardwalk towards the Thenmala dam and children can enjoy a sway bridge on the way. One sculpture garden which has sculptures of ‘Man & Nature’ theme is within the leisure zone that adds on elegance to the project.

Adventure zone is for those who want to quench their thirsty swashbuckler spirit. An elevated walkway connects the trees and rocky areas at different heights. Those who wish can go for mountain biking, river crossing and rock climbing.

Thenmala Eco project shares its boundaries with Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary at the foot hills of Western Ghats and visitors can enjoy restorative boat trips from Thenmala to Shenduruney. Butterfly Safari and Nakshatravanam are added attractions at Thenmala. A garden full of suitable plants for different species of butterflies to breed on is maintained in the Eco tourism project. The visitors can walk through the butterfly garden and make a close study of butterflies. Nakshatravanam is a tree garden comprising of 27 trees which depict the 27 Nakshatra’s (Birth stars) according to Indian Astrology. In India the predictions for man are done based on these Nakshatra’s and particular trees were assigned to each Nakshatra’s. The trees were of medical, social and aesthetic value. It is believed that by planting the tree pertaining to own Nakshatra will bring prosperity and happiness.  Apart from these activities visitors can have a trip to the nearby deer rehabilitation center where the straying deer from the forest is protected by man. The project area has tree top huts, children’s Eco play zones, treks by river side, and battery car rides through the forest area.

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