zonation
The sanctuary is stratified into 3 zones.
Core Zone
The core zone is a protected zone where human interference is strictly prohibited. This zone supports the prime wildlife habitats and dense vegetation. It is situated in the eastern portion of the sanctuary. The western boundary starts on the southern sanctuary boundary line at an elevation point of 1169m at Ambakallumottai and moves northwards through the boundary of Umayar touching the reservoir and further moves northwards through the reservoir boundary and stretches along the northern boundary of the reservoir till the point where Uruliyar falls into the reservoir, then moves northwards through the boundary of Uruliyar and touches the trekpath leading to Kannampallimedu and ends at the northern boundary of the sanctuary at Kannampallimedu. Core zone has forest on the north, east and south border and buffer zone on the western portion. The extent of the core zone is around 75.5 sq.km. which is 44.20% of the total area. The core zone was constituted based on ecological considerations on account of rich biodiversity. The areas coming under this core zone consists of Pandimottai, Alwarkurichi, Umayar, Aruliyar, Narathar, Dharbhakulam etc. The major portion of west coast evergreen forest and subtropical hill forest are seen in this zone. Moreover, this zone consists of Southern hilltop evergreen forests, grasslands, reed breaks and few pure patches of Bentinckia candapana. This zone is comprised of undulating terrain. The main objective of constituting this core zone is to preserve it in as natural a condition as possible by providing full protection. All forms of biotic interference are strictly regulated except scientific studies contributing to better management and enhancement of the quality of biodiversity.
Activities permitted in the area.
- Strict protection, monitoring and evaluation by forest officials and authorized persons.
- Scientific investigations as are permitted by competent authority.
- Protection and maintenance of core zone area as a gene pool to serve as a centre for ecological research and references.
- Strict regulation on human intervention.
- Specimen collection as are permitted by the department.
Activities not permitted
- Uncontrolled tourism activities.
- Collection of NWFP, firewood, poles, grasses etc.
- Construction and expansion of roads.
- Boating
- Pilgrimage path through core zone.
Buffer Zone
The buffer zone is located in the middle of the sanctuary sandwiched between the core zone in the east and tourism zone in the west. The buffer zone covers an area of about 47.13 sq.km. which is 27.60% of the total sanctuary area in which portion, part of reservoir area is also included. The western boundary of buffer zone starts from the southern boundary of the sanctuary where the Rockwood estate meets with the sanctuary boundary and then moves northwards crossing Kunjumonthodu further northwards through stream branch and crosses the reservoir east of Idimuzhanganpara and goes northwards touching the northern boundary of the sanctuary at the elevation point of 780m at Thirthakara mala.
The buffer zone consists of human inhabited areas viz. Rosemala and Kallar estates. The vegetation of this zone mainly consists of southern secondary moist mixed deciduous forests and west coast semi-evergreen forests. Since the pressure of human population within the sanctuary pose severe conservational problems I, the efforts should be directed towards their effective rehabilitation. The west coast semi-evergreen forest of this area is in a stage of degradation so that effective measures should be taken to rehabilitate these areas through afforestation.
Activities in the buffer zone.
- Protection against grazing, illicit collection of timber, firewood, poaching, smuggling, fire etc.
- Habitat improvement and rehabilitation activities of degraded forests by planting bamboo, grasses, fruit-bearing and fodder species and other local species.
- Eco-development activities in the village adjoining enclosure so that human pressure on the Protected Area can be effectively reduced.
- Regulated pilgrimage during holy season.
- Regulated nature trail to promote nature education.
- Regulated bird watching trail.
- Research activities.
Activities not allowed.
- Collection of NWFP, fodder grass, fire wood, poles etc.
- Fishing in the reservoir.
- Uncontrolled tourism
- Uncontrolled pilgrimage.
- Specimen collections except as are permitted by the competent authority.
Tourism zone.
The western most portion of the sanctuary beyond buffer zone constitutes the tourism zone. It consists of an area of 48.35 sq.km, which is about 28.20% of the total sanctuary area. The entry point to this sanctuary is in this zone. It consists of west coast semi-evergreen forest, reed brakes, southern secondary moist mixed deciduous forests and small patches of grasslands also. The major portion of the reservoir is falling in this zone. Only regulated tourism is permitted in this zone.
At present Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is not much opened to tourists. In the previous management plan it was suggested that boating in Shendurney reservoir could be started by the Forest Department. Now, Thenmala Eco-tourism Promotion Society, a Govt. of Kerala undertaking has started boating in the reservoir, which is managed by the Forest Department. Two pedal boats can be used in Kallada river between the dam and the weir-dam. Now as more tourists are coming to Thenmala this facility can be immediately opened for the public. The proposed area is the part of Kallada river between the office of the Wildlife Warden and the Forest IB at Ottakkal. It is a very safe portion just outside the sanctuary and can be managed easily also.