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Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
Location: Kerala
Area: 25.16 sq. km.
Major Wildlife Attractions: Birds, Butterflies
Best time to visit: Nov to Jan
Places to Stay: Hornbill Camp, Forest Department Watchtower
About Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, also
known as Thattekkad, is situated in the Ernakulam district of Kerala.
The sanctuary, named after the famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, was
established in the year1983. Besides being a paradise for bird
watchers, the place is also home to a large number of animals and
reptiles. An estimated 300 species of birds are said to be found here.
The sanctuary is open throughout the year, with the months of Nov to
June being the best time to visit as it is the time of arrival for
migratory birds from the north. Avoid the monsoons (July-Aug) as heavy
rains often flood the place.
Vehicles are not allowed inside the sanctuary. The best way to
explore the place in on foot, where it is compulsory to take along a
guide. Moreover the guide will also help increase your knowledge and
identify the hundreds of species of flora and fauna.
Wildlife Attractions in
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
The undulating terrain of the area is covered with tropical evergreen
and semi evergreen forests and grasslands. Prominent among the
numerous variety of trees found in the region are teak, rosewood,
jungle jack, red sandalwood, Lagerstroemia microcarpa and terminalia
paniculata.
Often described as a paradise for bird watchers, some of the birds
found here include the peninsular bay owl, ceylon frogmouth, Malabar
grey hornbill, Malabar trogon, crested serpent eagle, rose billed
roller, crimson throated barbet, fairy bluebird, Malabar pied and
great Indian hornbill.
The place is also home to some species of mammals and reptiles which
include elephant, sambar, barking deer, bonnet macaque, giant
squirrels, travancore flying squirrel, vine snake, Indian rock python,
king cobra, Russell's viper and saw scaled viper.
Best Time to Visit Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
The best visiting season of Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is from November
to January. But the sanctuary remains open round the year.
How to Get there
Air: Kochi International Airport, Nedumbassery is the nearest
airport. Kochi is connected by Indian Airlines flight from Delhi
(8:00, Daily), from Mumbai (11:05, Daily), (15:45, Mon, Tue, Thu,
Sat), from Bangalore (12:45, Daily) and from Chennai (12:55, Mon,
Fri), (14:40, Wed, Fri, Sun), (18:30, Tue, Thu, Sat).
Rail: Ernakulam is the nearest railhead, connected by daily
trains from Delhi : Mngla Lksdp Exp. (9:55), Kerala Exp. (11:30), from
Mumbai : Mngla Lksdp Exp. (8:50), Kanyakumari Exp. (15:45), Netravati
Exp. (11:40), from Bangalore : Kanyakumari Exp. (22:00) and from
Chennai : Dnh Allp Exp. (3:50), Tata Allp Exp. (3:50), Trivandrum Mail
(20:00), Alleppey Exp. (21:15), Ms Guruvayur Exp. (7:25).
Road: To reach from Kochi, take the NH47 to Aluva. From here,
follow the state highway 16 to Kothamangalam via Perumbavoor from
where a state road will take you to Keerampara. Finally, take a ferry
ride to the sanctuary. |
