:: Thenmala
The Thenmala Eco-Tourism shares its resources with the famous Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary at the foothills of the Western Ghats anf is situated about 72kms from Thiruvananthapuram, in the District of Kollam .
It is India 's first planned eco-tourism destination, which is gaining popularity due to its unique vistas, bio-diversity and functioning.
Managed by Thenmala Eco-Tourism Promotional Society, which is an undertaking of the Government of Kerala, Thenmala Eco-tourism is unique destination from a visitor's point of view. It has equal opportunities for fun, adventure, leisure and for learning the significance and necessity of eco-friendly measures for promoting tourism related activities. The word Thenmala has an interesting meaning. ‘Then' means honey and ‘Mala' means hill; and they combine to mean Honey Hill'. It is believed that the honey collected from this region is of very good quality owing to its unique biological settings.
Thenmala Eco-Tourism is divided into different zones with a particular theme, the project area currently has three major zones viz. Culture Zone, Leisure Zone and Adventure Zone. Here, a visitor is taken care of by its well-trained staff providing guidance and information about the various attractions and facilities, enabling one to move about, explore and experience every bit of this remarkable destination. There are well-placed signboards, direction pointers, and information boards to facilitate one's movement inside the project area.
Thenmala Eco-Tourism is open round the year and there are conducted tours organized by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation from the Capital City of Thiruvananthapuram and also by the District Tourism Promotion Council of Kollam District. For a visitor to Thenmala Eco-Tourism, some of the nearby attractions are also worth exploring. One may visit the picturesque Palaruvi waterfalls, about 16 kms away, on the way to Shenkottah.
Access through:
Rail: Kollam, about 66 kms away.
Air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport , about 72 kms away.
