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 In India, Kerala is way ahead of other states when it comes to promoting travel and tourism. Now it has added one more feather to its cap. India’s premier planned ecotourism destination Thenmala, has also come up here. It is fast gaining huge popularity due to its unique location, bio-diversity and inimitable functioning, that has made this place one of the most preferred destinations for Indian and foreign tourists alike. Thenmala is a small village situated in the district of Kollam, about 72 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, and the famous Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary is the most important ecotourism resource of this place. This wildlife sanctuary is spread across a sprawling 100 sq.km. and contains a mindboggling variety of flora and fauna.
Thenmala, in local dialect, has a very interesting meaning. “Then” means honey and “Mala” means hillock; so together it stands for “honey hills”. Indeed, the honey collected from Thenmala forest region is of superior quality and of great medicinal value because of the unique floristic composition of the forest.
The USP of Thenmala is that there are well placed signboards, direction pointers and information boards to facilitate one’s movement in this area. In fact, unlike any other tourism destinations in India the entire area has been divided into three major zones with a particular theme, namely Culture Zone, Leisure Zone and Adventure Zone. It caters to the varied tastes and preferences of the different kinds of visitors to this area. The highlight of the culture zone is a big Dancing Musical Fountain, which is a major hit with the tourists. It also has a Tourism Facilitation Center in the Culture Zone to provide information on the wide range of tourism products available in Thenmala.
Besides the zone-based activities for a visitor, Thenmala Eco-Tourism also offers other attractions, like an invigorating boat ride in the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary;a visit to the Deer Rehabilitation Centre, where one can have a look at Spotted deer, the Sambar deer and the Barking deer, which have been given protection after straying out from the forests. The project area also has tree top huts and children’s eco-park, riverside treks, and battery powered vehicle rides through the forest, enabling one to sight wildlife from a close distance.Indoor and outdoor sports facilities are also available for tourists accommodated in the hotels, resorts and homestays.
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