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Thenmala is Indias first planned eco-tourism destination, which is gaining popularity due to its unique vistas, bio-diversity and functioning. Situated about 72kms from Thiruvananthapuram, in the District of Kollam, the Thenmala Eco-Tourism shares its resources with the famous Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary at the foothills of the Western Ghats.

The word Thenmala in the local language Malayalam has an interesting meaning. ‘Thenmeans honey and ‘Malameans 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. Managed by Thenmala Eco-Tourism Promotional Society, which is an undertaking of the Government of Kerala, Thenmala Eco-tourism is a unique destination from a visitors 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.

Exciting adventure

There is Tourism Facilitation Center in the Culture Zone of the region to provide information on a wide range of tourism products available at Thenmala.Adding more variety and elegance to the landscape here is the Sculpture Garden, which has Man & Nature as its theme.Adding more variety and elegance to the landscape at the leisure here is the Sculpture Garden, which has Man & Nature as its theme.For those with an overdose of adrenalin and those willing to test their adventure spirit would find the Adventure Zone here quite a thrilling experience.Visitors can go for mountain biking, rock climbing and river crossing. Other less physically demanding adventure options include nature trails, resting spots, lotus pond, etc.

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 childrens eco-park, riverside treks, and battery powered vehicle rides through the forest, enabling one to sight wildlife from a close distance.

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.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.

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