THENMALA ECOTOURISM

A project for the first planned ecotourism destination (Thenmala Ecotourism Project) has been formulated in and around Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary by Tourism Department, Government of Kerala with the co-operation of departments such as Forest, Irrigation and Tourism.
"Thenmala Ecotourism" has been conceived as a first planned ecotourism destination in India and the initial stages of implementation is completed.

The major objectives of this project are
1. To develop Thenmala dam and its surroundings as a major tourist destination.
2. To promote Ecotourism on the basis of sound principles of ecological sustainability in the surrounding areas of Thenmala.
3. To have a well planned tourism destination with emphasis on sustainable tourism development so as to become a model for other destination development programmes.

Eco-friendly General Tourism is planned in the periphery of the sanctuary so that pressure of tourism will not affect sanctuary. The real ecotourism is to take place in sanctuary and only ecotourists are encouraged for that. Others can experience the ecofriendly products such as small nature trails, elevated walkway through canopies, mountain biking etc. This will give them a feeling of what awaits as ecotourism in the sanctuary area, for which they have to wait since it is supply driven. This was a consciously developed management strategy after analysing what is happening in various sanctuaries by way of tourist pressure.

Facilities such as boating in the Sanctuary reservoir, boardwalk, sculpture garden, amphitheatre, Musical Dancing Fountain, etc. are also provided at Thenmala for soft ecotourists. An Environmental education and interpretation center is also being set up at Thenmala.

Thenmala ecotourism project is the first planned ecotourism project/destination in the country. Here from the very beginning efforts have been taken to imbibe the internationally accepted principles of ecotourism in the planning process as well as in implementation. A conscious management strategy has been evolved to create a familiarization zone to limit the impacts in sensitive ecosystems to the minimum. Another important feature is the institutionalizing of co-ordination mechanism among Forests, Irrigation and Tourism Departments, Local Community, Local Self Government and other stake holders.

In short "Thenmala ecotourism" is a learning experience. Our idea is to make this destination qualitatively better by getting valuable feedback from all esteemed visitors and there by strive for excellence in the area of conservation of natural resources and authentic tourism experience.
For more details please visit www.thenmalaecotourism.com

Ecotourism prgamme jointly organized by Shendurney Forest Development Agency and Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society

Rosemala package
Rs 7000|-for a group consisting of 4 persons and is inclusive of food, journey by vehicle from Thenmala to Rosemala and back, visit Palaruvi, trekking through Rosemala forests,guide service and night stay inside forest.

Kallar package
Rs 7000|-for a group consisting of 4 persons and is inclusive of food, journey by vehicle from Thenmala to Kallar and back, trekking through Kallar forests, guide service and night stay inside forest .