About Thattekad Bird Sanctuary :
The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (also commonly known as the Thattekad Sanctuary) is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar river. The sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously. Ali described Thattekad in the 1930's as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas. The sanctuary is 13 km north-east of Kothamangalam along the Pooyamkutti road. The nearest railway station is Aluva at a distance of 48 km. Kochi, the nearest airport is 71 km away. The new airport at Nedumbassery is probably closer.Kothamangalam is well connected by privately operated buses to Ernakulam via Muvattupuzha or Perumbavoor. There are frequent buses from Kothamangalam to Thattekad. Construction of bridge across the Periayar river has recently completedd.To reach this sanctuary you can take a pleasant bus-ride from Kothamangalam early in the morning and reach the southern bank of the Periyar, the lake is surrounded by low, thickly wooded hills, which makes it look more beautiful. Important birds found at the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary are large falcon, jungle fowl, white-breasted water hen, hornbill etc. The vegetation in this area consists of tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and plantations of teak, rosewood, mahogany etc. Further, more than 28 varieties of animals and nine varieties of reptiles have accepted this area as their natural habitat.