Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

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Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
national park
Kerala Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.jpg
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located in Kerala
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Location in Kerala, India
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Country  India
State Kerala
District   Kottayam
Elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Languages
 • Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Nearest city Kottayam
Avg. summer temperature 34 °C (93 °F)
Avg. winter temperature 22 °C (72 °F)

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.[1] Set in the Kerala Backwaters the bird sanctuary is a favourite haunt of migratory birds.[2]

History

Developed in a rubber plantation as a bird sanctuary by an Englishman, the sanctuary was formerly known as Baker’s Estate.[3] Currently, the bird sanctuary is managed by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

Geography

The sanctuary is spread over 14 acres (5.7 ha)[3] on the southern bank of the Kavanar River.[4] There is a system of 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 kilometres (8.7 mi) from Kottayam. State Highway No. 1 leads to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram in opposite directions. Kochi International Airport at Nedumbassery is 106 km (66 mi) from Kumarakom.[5]

Neighbouring areas such as Kaipuzha Muttu, Pathirmanal, Narakathara, Thollairam Kayal, and Poothanpandi Kayal are also good locations for spotting birds.[3]

Kerala has a tropical climate.

Fauna

The main attractions are local birds like waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron, cormorant, moorhen, darter, and brahminy kite, 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 Siberia.[3][6]

Sanctuary from Kavanar River

Bird watching

The WWF-India organised a two-day bird watching programme in 2008 at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary in connection with World Wetlands Day.[7] Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, which owns the largest chain of hotels in Kerala, including a resort in the middle of the bird sanctuary at Kumarakom, has opened an interpretation centre in the bird sanctuary for the visitors.[8]

References

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  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ayub, Akber (ed), Kerala: Maps & More, Kumarakom, 2006 edition 2007 reprint, p. 53, Stark World Publishing, Bangalore, ISBN 81-902505-2-3
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External links