Ecological Splendor: The Chenkurinji Cradle of Agasthyamala
Spanning 171 square kilometers in the eastern forested reaches of Kollam district, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1984 as an integral core component of the UNESCO-designated Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve. The sanctuary is cradled between the rugged southern ridges of the Western Ghats, with elevations climbing steeply from 100 meters in the river valleys to over 1,550 meters at the craggy peak of Alwarkurichi.
The sanctuary is botanically famous as the ancestral cradle of the 'Chenkurinji' tree (Gluta travancorica), an endangered evergreen species belonging to the cashew family (Anacardiaceae) that grows naturally nowhere else on Earth. The forest department has established specialized conservation nurseries and living gene banks across Shendurney to restore this venerable botanical marvel to its historic abundance.
The forest cover presents an unbroken, multi-tiered tapestry of west-coast tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous rainforest. Towering dipterocarps and wild jackfruit trees draped in epiphytic orchids and giant lianas form a dense, sun-blocking green canopy that maintains a perpetually humid, moss-carpeted forest floor alive with fungal diversity and endemic amphibians.
Sanctuary Wildlife: Lion-tailed Macaques, Gaurs and King Cobras
Shendurney's undisturbed evergreen tracts provide vital refuge for some of India's most endangered wildlife. The sanctuary harbors several thriving troops of the Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus), which forage high in the fruit-bearing canopy of wild Cullenia and Ficus trees. Visitors frequently hear their distinctive territorial whooping calls reverberating across the river valleys.
The sanctuary supports healthy populations of Asian elephants, Indian leopards, Bengal tigers, sloth bears, and the impressive Indian gaur (wild bison), which can often be seen grazing on lush riverbank grasses during the dry season. The dense understory also shelters barking deer, mouse deer, Malabar giant squirrels, and the elusive Nilgiri marten.
For herpetologists and birders, Shendurney is an exceptional paradise. The perennial mountain streams are home to endemic torrent frogs and the elusive Malabar pit viper, while the canopy reverberates with the calls of over 250 bird species, including the Great Pied Hornbill, Wayanad Laughingthrush, and Malabar Grey Hornbill. It is also a documented haven for the formidable King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah).
Aquatic Lifeline: Parappar Reservoir and Wildlife Safaris
At the heart of the sanctuary lies the expansive 26-square-kilometer artificial lake formed by the Parappar Dam across the Shendurney, Kulathupuzha, and Kazhuthurutty rivers, which unite to form the major Kallada River. The reservoir winds like a sprawling blue serpent through the densely forested mountain folds, creating isolated forested islands and quiet, emerald coves.
The Kerala Forest Department operates guided motorboat safaris across the reservoir. Cruising silently along the shoreline offers unparalleled vantage points for wildlife viewing without disturbing animal behavior. Herds of elephants, solitary gaur, and sambar deer frequently emerge from the jungle to drink, graze, and bathe along the water's edge, particularly during late afternoons.
Above the water, white-bellied sea eagles, ospreys, and river terns perform dramatic aerial dives for fish, while darter cormorants dry their iridescent wings on protruding dead tree trunks, presenting exceptional photography opportunities against the backdrop of mist-capped mountain slopes.
Shendurney derives its name from 'Chenkurinji' (Gluta travancorica), a magnificent evergreen hardwood tree endemic strictly to the southern Western Ghats of the Agasthyamala Biosphere. Celebrated for its reddish heartwood, medicinal resin, and extraordinary anti-arthritic and anti-diabetic herbal properties in Siddha medicine, the tree is under strict conservation recovery by the Kerala Forest Department.
Adventure & Vistas: Thenmala Eco-Tourism Hub and Rosemala Viewpoint
Adjoining Shendurney is Thenmala, celebrated as India's first planned eco-tourism destination. Managed by the Thenmala Eco-tourism Promotion Society (TEPS), the project is divided into three distinct zones: Culture, Leisure, and Adventure. Visitors can experience elevated canopy canopy walkways, musical dancing fountains, rock climbing, mountain biking, and a state-of-the-art Butterfly Safari Park.
Deep within the sanctuary lies Rosemala, an isolated high-altitude settlement reachable only by a thrilling 15-kilometer off-road 4x4 jeep safari through dense forest trails. The hill is so named because the view of the sprawling Parappar reservoir from the summit ridge strikingly resembles the unfolded petals of a blooming rose.
Standing on the Rosemala watchtower provides a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the entire Kollam forest basin, with the sapphire waters of the lake framed by endless waves of forested green ridges that stretch south toward the Agasthyarkoodam massif and east toward the Tamil Nadu border.
Transit Log, Entry Permits and Travel Logistics
Shendurney and Thenmala are located along the Kollam–Shenkottai National Highway (NH 744), approximately 66 kilometers east of Kollam city and 72 kilometers north of Thiruvananthapuram. The nearest railway station is Shenkottai in Tamil Nadu (30 km), while Thenmala itself has a scenic meter-gauge-turned-broad-gauge station served by passenger trains.
Entry permits and safari bookings are processed at the Thenmala Ecotourism Facilitation Centre. Offerings include 1-hour reservoir boat safaris, full-day deep jungle treks with tribal guides, overnight forest camping at Rosemala or Pallivasal, and stay packages at rustic eco-huts overlooking the river.
The best time to visit is from October to March when the weather is pleasantly cool and rain showers are gentle. Visitors should carry anti-leech socks, insect repellent, waterproof camera bags, and binoculars. Thenmala and Shendurney easily combine with nearby attractions like the cascading Palaruvi Waterfalls and the historic 13-Arch British Railway Bridge at Kazhuthurutty.
The Shendurney river and Parappar reservoir experience sudden water-level surges during the southwest monsoon, requiring strict adherence to lifejacket protocols during boat safaris. The rugged jeep track ascending to Rosemala is an unforgiving, boulder-strewn dirt trail traversable only by high-clearance 4x4 vehicles; private standard sedans will bottom out and become stranded.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary named after?
Shendurney is named after the 'Chenkurinji' tree (Gluta travancorica), an endangered hardwood tree endemic strictly to the southern Western Ghats of the Agasthyamala region, celebrated for its medicinal resin and red heartwood.
What is Thenmala and how is it related to Shendurney?
Thenmala, adjoining Shendurney, is India's first planned eco-tourism project. It serves as the gateway to Shendurney, offering canopy walks, adventure sports, butterfly safaris, and reservoir boat cruises.
How do you reach Rosemala inside Shendurney?
Rosemala is accessible only by hired high-clearance 4x4 jeeps or guided forest trekking over a rugged 15-km dirt trail through dense jungle, offering panoramic views of the reservoir resembling a rose.
Can tourists take a boat safari inside Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary?
Yes, the Kerala Forest Department conducts motorboat safaris across the 26-sq-km Parappar Dam reservoir, providing excellent opportunities to spot wild elephants, gaur, sambar deer, and birds along the shoreline.
How far is Shendurney from Kollam and Trivandrum?
Shendurney is located approximately 66 kilometers east of Kollam city (about a 2-hour drive via NH 744) and 72 kilometers northeast of Thiruvananthapuram (about a 2.5-hour drive).
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