Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

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  ?Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Kerala • India
Coordinates: 9°30′N 76°31′E / 9.5, 76.52
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation
• 0 m (0 ft)
Climate
Temperature
• Summer
• Winter

• 34 °C (93 °F)
• 22 °C (72 °F)
Nearest city Kottayam
District(s)   Kottayam

Coordinates: 9°30′N 76°31′E / 9.5, 76.52

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (also known as Vembanad Bird Sanctuary) is situated at Kumarakom in Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala, on the banks of Vembanad Lake. Set in the Kerala Backwaters the bird sanctuary is an ornithologist's paradise and a favourite haunt of migratory birds.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

Developed in a rubber plantation as a bird sanctuary by an Englishman, the sanctuary was formerly known as Baker’s Estate.[2]

[edit] Geography

The sanctuary is spread over 14 acres[2] on the southern bank of the Kavanar River.[3]It has well laid out paths for moving around within the sanctuary. Beyond the sanctuary one can take a boat ride in Vembanad Lake or along the Kavanar River.

Kumarakom is 14 km (8.7 mi) from Kottayam. State Highway No. 1 leads to Kochi and Thiruvanthapuram in opposite directions. Kochi International Airport at Nedumbassery is 106 km (66 mi) from Kumarakom.[4]

Neighbouring areas such as Kaipuzha Muttu, Pathirmanal, Narakathara, Thollairam Kayal, and Poothanpandi Kayal are also good locations for spotting birds.[2]

Kerala has a tropical climate.

[edit] Fauna

The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron, cormorant, moorhen, darter, Brahminy kite and the duck, as well as the migratory Siberian crane. Parrot, teal, lark, flycatcher, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons. Some of the migratory birds come from the Himalayas, and a few from far away Siberia.[5][2]

Dawn is the ideal time for bird watching when the birds prepare to leave their forest homes and fly over the lake. An early morning trek, well before sunrise, is recommended for avid bird watchers.[2]

The sanctuary from Kavanar River
The sanctuary from Kavanar River

[edit] Bird watching

The WWF-India organised a two-day bird watching programme in 2008 at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary in connection with World Wetlands Day.[6]Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, which owns the largest chain of hotels in Kerala, including a resort at Kumarakom, has plans to introduce guided bird watching trails and to open an interpretation centre.[1]

[edit] Nearby

There is a driftwood museum at Chakranpadi, Pathiramanal approachable by boat,[2]and imaginary Ayemenem of Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things is set in the area.[7][8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Radhakrishnan, S. Anil. KTDC to construct hotel in Chennai. The Hindu, 16 November 2006. Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Ayub, Akber (ed), Kerala: Maps & More, Kumarakom, 2006 edition 2007 reprint, p. 53, Stark World Publishing, Bangalore, ISBN 81-902505-2-3
  3. ^ Ayub, Akber. Seductive symphony. The Hindu, 7 January 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
  4. ^ Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. shubhyatra.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
  5. ^ Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. www.kumarakom.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
  6. ^ Two camps for bird watchers. The Hindu, 13 January 2008. Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
  7. ^ Arundhati Roy, a life full of beginnings and no ends. Chitram. Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
  8. ^ Arundhati Roy: The God of Small Things Study Guide. wsu.edu. Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
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Bird Sanctuaries