Tree Houses in Kerala

 

Tree house is called as ‘Erumadam’ in local language and means a house made on tree top with all basic amenities. These were used by the hunters for keeping their food and weapons safely while they had to stay back in forest. Tree houses can be fixed on a platform around the tree trunk or branch. In earlier days these houses were created by different tribal people for self protection from wild animals in the forest. Now these are mostly used for leisure, recreation, work space, housing or as observation tower. The important feature of the tree house is that it does not harm the surroundings in the forest area and heavy alterations are not required in the trees to arrange one house. Tree houses in Kerala are mostly used for short time stays by visitors and it is widely accepted by adventure loving people. These are tastefully designed and built with eco friendly materials like bamboo, coir, hay straw and normally has a height of 20-90 ft above ground level. Sometimes these huts will have live trees passing through as an initiative taken to minimize the alterations to the environment. Fastening with ropes or nails, usage of stilts or stay rods or struts are the different methods of fixing the tree house on the tree tops. Tree house attachment bolt (TAB) is a new development that can support more weight than earlier methods and is widely used now. Wooden stairs, hanging or fixed ladders are used to go up and down. As per requirements the tree houses are prepared with facilities for children, work space, play structure or as fully functioning homes. Adventure tourism Kerala is popularising the usage of tree houses to more people and many resorts and hotels are coming up with these options in the premises for the tourists. Even some households in Kerala have tree house in their courtyards.

 

Wild life stay at Kerala is mostly enjoyed at Munnar, Thekkady, Athirapally waterfalls and Wayanad. Tree houses are usually built near the forest area to keep the natural environment charm as it is and huge trees give magnificent view from the top. It provides a day in the middle of green forest and leisure time away from the stress and difficulties of everyday life. Some luxurious tree houses even offer the facilities of TV, Internet, Computer and other modern equipments to enjoy the stay. The farm houses Kerala is a modern initiative to promote eco tourism and has a peculiarity of having a tree house in the premises which offer the stay in the middle of nature. 

 

Parambikulam Tiger reserve at Palakkad has a tree house at Thoonakadavu, the reserve forest area. Advance booking facility is available here.  Utharam Kayam located near the Neyyar dam in Thiruvananthapuram managed by the Forest department has an accommodation arranged in a tree house for the visitors. Many resorts have tree house which offers stay in the middle of greenery and natural habitat. Rangerwood Nature Castle Machan near Periyar wildlife sanctuary at Thekkady, Tranquil Plantation resort in Wayanad, Hiliya Resort at Kenichira in Wayanad, Marmalade Springs at Chembara peak in Wayanad, Dream Catcher Resort in Munnar, Nature Zone Tree house resort in Munnar, Rainforest Resort at Athirapally, Carmelia Haven at Vandanmedu in Thekkady, Green Woods Resort (Vanya Tree house) in Thekkady, Vythiri resort at Wayanad, are some of the main resorts that offers a luxurious stay on tree tops. Forest stay in Kerala is made well-known to the world with the modernization of the tree houses from the earlier storage places to luxury homes.

Related Posts