Kodanad
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kodanad is a beautiful rural riverside village and a popular day picnic spot in Ernakulam district with a major elephant rescue and care centre. Kodanad is situated on the south bank of river Periyar, about 42 kilometers east of Kochi (Cochin) in the Kerala state of southern India.
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[edit] Overview
Kodanad is known for its 'Elephant Kraal', elephant rescue centre, mini zoo and its access via river boats to the seasonal pilgrimage centre of Malayattoor church, both placed opposite on banks of the Periyar river with stunning unspoilt and rustic views. Kodanad's various riverside locality attracts visitors, film crews, foreign tourists all around the year. There are many walkways alongside the river and they offer a unique experience to the visitors.
Kodanad is the only elephant rescue and training centre in Kerala specialised for rescuing and training stranded baby elephants from the forest regions across Kerala. Kodanad also offers elephant safari to visitors. Elephants are made ready with a specially constructed wooden saddle on top, designed to make the riding comfortable and safe. At Kodanad, the old 'Kraal' is still maintained and is still used to house elephants. The Kraal is a tall structure made of wood compartments which can accommodate up to 4 elephants. The 'mini zoo' shelters wild animals which have become unfit for survival in the local forest and some inmates of the zoo are very rare species.
[edit] History
In 1950-60s, Kodanad used to be the largest of several elephant training centres for captured Elephants from the Malayattoor forests and the adjoining forests. They were trained using Mahouts, specially skilled people also known as Paappan in Malayalam language. In 1970s, there was a ban to elephant capture by Government of India and from then on, Kodanad is primarily used as a rescue training centre.
[edit] Baby elephants & Care centre
Watching baby elephants at their infancy and various stages of their growth has become a unique feature that attracts visitors to Kodanad. At least four to six baby elephants are brought in and trained every year. Tourists arrive at Kodanad fascinated by baby elephant's various stages of development at the Care centre. Training plays an important role for elephants while their brains develop and they learn vital survival and cultural knowledge. The baby elephants at Kodanad are owned and taken care by the Department of Forest. Once they become adults, someone buy them out in auctions. In Kerala, elephants are used for a variety of traditional jobs such as timber loading & wood moving, or as temple elephants for religious Hindu festivals & events.
[edit] Ecotourism
Kodanad is in the list of Ecotourism destination projects supported by the Government of India. As a part of this project, Kaprikkad, a village lying 3km adjacent to Kodanad on the river bank has been set up in 2006 for entertaining visitors in the most natural and environmental friendly way.
[edit] Location & Getting there
[edit] By Road
Kodanad elephant kraal and training centre is located on a main road (Vallom - Kodanad road) that joins MC Road, at Vallom junction 2.5km north of Perumbavoor. Distance between Vallom and Kodanad is 8 km.
[edit] Public Transport
For tourists travelling from Aluva (Alwaye) or Kochi (Cochin), it is recommended to take taxi with an approximate travel time of 50 minutes from Aluva and 90 minutes from Kochi.
Nearest railway station is Aluva (Alwaye, 28 km to the west) and the Nearest airport being Cochin Airport(COK) located at Nedumbassery (22 km to the north-west) served by many international airlines. The closest town to Kodanad is Perumbavoor (11km to the west) and connects Kodanad by regularly operated passenger bus services.
[edit] Address & Contact Info
Divisional Forest Office Malayattur Forest Division Kodanad, Ernakulam District - Kerala South India. POST CODE : 683 544 Ph : +91-484-2649052
Wikimapia link : http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=10185202&x=76512651&z=18&l=0&m=a
[edit] Things to do
- Visiting the Elephant Kraal, Elephant Safari, riverside walks, mini zoo & a country boat trip to Malayattoor Church
- Elephant ride on a beautiful female elephant named 'Sunitha' will cost only 200INR (4$) for 4 people.
- Kaprikad, which lying 3 km to the west from Kodanad is top picnic spot in Kochi region. A tourist boat service has recently been introduced (Nov 2006) at Kaprikad. For those adventurous, a natural waterfall named "poru" can be located 7km east which guarantees full of thrill and excitement ,though the undercurrent of water is dangerous and unpredictable in any season.
For those who prefer to do things off the beaten track, Kodanad & Kaprikad offers highly charming and beautiful river side walks.
If you are interested in elephant safari, it is recommended to contact Kodanad Tourist office prior to your visit.
[edit] Nearby tourist attractions
- Thattekkade bird sanctuary (25 km)
- Bhoothathan kettu dam (25 km)
- Munnar (100 km)
[edit] News items & External links for Kodanad
- [Photo of A baby Elephant at Kodanadu]
- Nov 16 2007, Baby elephant at Kodanad,from The Hindu
- Nov 03, 2007, Ayurveda nursing Kerala elephant back to health from IBN Live
- Video shows a baby elephant playing in the river at Kodanad
- Dec 12 2006, Lion-tailed macaque comes to town from The Hindu
- Oct 27 2006, Mini zoo at Kodanad may be shifted soon from The Hindu
- Sept 19 2006, Deer to be released into the wild at Kodanad from The Hindu
- Sept 02 2006, Turtles shifted from Kodanad from The Hindu
- Sun, July 09 2006 Bringing up a baby elephant, from Indian Express
- July 07 2006, Baby elephant rescued,from The Hindu
- Training centre for Mahouts. The Hindu
- http://www.keralaforest.org/html/tourism/Kodanad.htm
[edit] References
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