Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Kumarakom 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 a favourite haunt of migratory birds.HistoryDeveloped in a rubber plantation as a bird sanctuary by an Englishman, the sanctuary was formerly known as Baker’s Estate. Currently, the bird sanctuary is managed by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.GeographyThe sanctuary is spread over 14acre on the southern bank of the Kavanar River. 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 from Kottayam. State Highway No. 1 leads to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram in opposite directions. Kochi International Airport at Nedumbassery is 106km from Kumarakom.Neighbouring areas such as Kaipuzha Muttu, Pathirmanal, Narakathara, Thollairam Kayal, and Poothanpandi Kayal are also good locations for spotting birds.FaunaThe 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.