kollam thenmala dam

Thenmala is a tourist place near Punalur town, Kollam district in Kerala. Thenmala is the first planned eco-tourism destination in India. The Thenmala dam was built across Kallada River. The word Thenmala in the local language Malayalam has an interesting meaning. 'Then' means honey and 'Mala' means hill; and they combine to mean 'Honey Hill'. It is believed that the honey collected from this region is of very good quality owing to its unique biological settings. Managed by Thenmala Eco-Tourism Promotional Society, which is an undertaking of the Government of Kerala, Thenmala Eco-tourism is a unique destination from a visitor's point of view. It has equal opportunities for fun, adventure, leisure and for learning the significance and necessity of eco-friendly measures for promoting tourism related activities.The Thenmala Dam is a popular ecotourism destination in Kerala. The Dam, which impounds the largest reservoir in the state which was built under the Kallada Irrigation and Tree Crop development project. The construction of the Parappar Dam across the confluence of the Chenduruney, Kazhuthurutty and Kulathupuzha rivers has resulted in the creation of a beautiful artificial lake of about 26 Sq. Km. which spreads along the middle of the Chenduruny Wildlife sanctuary. It is the second largest irrigation project in Kerala and its waters are now used for power generation.

The Dam and its surroundings is a popular picnic spot. You can do boating in the reservoir, surrounded by the verdant beauty around you. You can buy your tickets at the eco-tourism center. A battery-powered van takes you to the boarding point. It is a pleasant experience to sail down the long reservoir surrounded by the woods of the Chenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary on both sides of the reservoir.