Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
The Shenduruney forest - declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984 gets its name from an endemic species of tree called Chenkurunji (Gluta travancorica). In the central region of this moist, mixed deciduous forest, spread over hilly terrain of over 172 sq km, is the 26 sq km artificial lake formed by the Parappar dam built across the Shenduruney, Kulathupuzha and Kazhuthurutty rivers.
The sanctuary surrounds the reservoir of the Thenmala Dam. The first eco-tourism project in India, Thenmala Eco-tourism Project has been formulated in and around Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary. Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is unique in its scenic beauty and authentic ambience of nature. Nature loving tourists are given a rare opportunity to stay inside the forests in specially built camping houses as part of the camping packages run by Shendurney Ecotourism. Along with jungle camping, tourists are offered vegetarian food, trekking, jeep safari , bird watching etc.
Shendurney hosts such of 5 camping sites at Idimuzhanganpara, Pallivasal, Rockwood and Kurunthotti valavu and Lake view ‘n’ Kalamkunnu. Shendurney ecotourism is unique and special from others by virtue of its unmatchable trekking and camping packages. Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is easily accessible from Kollam town. It is a must visit site for all wildlife and nature lovers. Come, get enchanted by the diverse natural splendour.Shendurney, another bash in a tropical semi-evergreen forest! For company, you may have some die-hard party animals - elephants, tigers, leopards, bisons, sambar, wild boar, lion-tailed macaques, nilgiri langur, deer and many of the other inhabitants of a west coast tropical evergreen forest.