Thattekkad Tourism

Tucked away in a quaint corner of God’s Own Country, Kerala, is a beautiful haven for birds of all kinds. Thattekkad (meaning flat forest), famous for its Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is a place which will delight bird lovers and die-hard ornithologists. The sanctuary is situated near the Periyar River, which is the longest river in Kerala. Thattekkad offers breathtakingly beautiful views, thanks to its location on Njiyapilli hill,which is 523 metres above sea level. Thattekkad is situated approximately 60 kilometres to the north-east of Kochi, and it is a part of the Kothamangalam tehsil of the Ernakulam district.

In 1930, a renowned ornithologist, Dr Salim Ali, discovered that the area in and around the Njiyapillihill attracts a lot of migratory birds, especially during winter; and he therefore suggested that the area should be converted into a Bird Sanctuary. In 1983, on his recommendation, the area was declared a Bird Sanctuary and named after him. According to him, this area is “The richest bird habitat on peninsular India”. This bird sanctuary is the natural habitat of several stunning and rare birds like the Jerdon's Nightjar, Large-billed Leaf-warbler, Yellow-browed Bulbuls, Orange-headed Thrush, Indian Cuckoo, Oriental Darter, and Collared Scops Owl.