Abhayaranyam mini zoo and eco-tourism project, Kaprikkad
Abhayaranyam is an upcoming project in Kaprikkad village, Ernakulam district of Kerala. Hundreds of deers are kept here and visitors can enjoy the animals roaming around in a natural forest area, with proper fencing for safety of animals and visitors. Read more about the wild life safari and mini zoo at Kaprikkad, near Kodanad.
Abhayaranyam eco-tourism project is not a familiar name to many travellers and also hasn't found it's place in the Kerala tourism map yet. However, if everything works out as planned by the government, this place could become one of the biggest attractions in Ernakulam district.What is Abhayaranyam eco-tourism project
Kodanad Elephant Training Centre was a popular attraction in the banks of Periyar in Kerala. Even though it was started as an elephant training centre, over a period of time, hundreds of animals and birds were brought into this place and it was developed as a mini-zoo. As the number of animals significantly increased, animal activists started complaining about keeping such a large number of animals in a small area of 2.5 acres of land in Kodanad. Deers were struggling in a very small fenced area. Elephants had no space to walk around.
The objective of Abhayaranyam project is to develop an animal rescue centre for the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals.
This project is aimed at housing the elephants and other animals in open area of about two hundred acres with proper fencing to keep the animals safe. Also, this project is proposed to be a wild life safari place in the model of Bannerghatta National Park. Large cages will be provided for birds. Animals like deers will be kept in large areas of land. Elephants will be housed near the bank of Periyar, with free roaming space.
This project is under the Nature Study Centre (NSC), Kalady, with its headquarters in Kodanad.Current state of Abhayaranyam
I visited this place on April 2, 2015. Even though this project was announced in 2010, there is no much progress on the development. All the spotted deers and Sambar deers are moved here and visitors can watch the animals, which are kept in a large fenced area.
Walking trails are already constructed from the main gate to the area where the deers are kept. Beyond that, you can go through the trails to enter the woods and mini forest. There will be no guides or sign boards to help you since the place is not officially opened for tourists.
Currently, there are about 100 Spotted deers and Sambar deers and no other animals or birds are there. In addition to watching the animals, you can walk around in the natural forest through the trails and enjoy the nature.
Recommended: A day at the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
There is an eco shop located in the entrance area of the project. You won't get a lot of items there other than some sandalwood oil and lemon grass oil.
Admission: There is no admission fee as of now. You just have to sign your name and details at the entrance. The place is closed on Mondays.
Wild safari and other activities
Once the Kaprikkad project becomes fully operational, it will be the first zoo in Kochi area. Wild life safari will be one of the interesting activities. The total area is about 200 acres, out of which 100 acres will be for Abhayaranyam, to keep the elephants to allow free roaming. This will be an ideal place to spend some time with the nature in the banks of Periyar river.Nearby attractions
The nearby attractions of Abhayaranyam include:
1. Paniyeli Poru eco-tourism destination and picnic area - 9 km
2. Kodanad elephant training centre - 2 km
How to reach Abhayaranyam and where to stay
Abhayaranyam is in Kaprikkad village, which is 2 km away from Kodanad, 3 km from Malayattoor and 10km from Kalady. For more details on how to reach Kaprikkad and accommodation facilities, read Kodanad elephant training centre.
For more information, you may contact the forest department officials:
Divisional Forest Officer,
Malayattur Forest Division,
Kodanad, Eranakulam Dist.
Ph: 0484 2649052
Attention visitors: If you come here with lot of expectations to see animals, birds etc, you may be disappointed. The project is still under development and it may take several years to complete, if it goes in the current slow pace.
Photos
We recently visited Kodanad and were disappointed to see there are no more animals there except few elephants. We were wondering what happened to the mini zoo they had in Kodanad. No one there was able to explain what happened to them.
Thank you for sharing information about Abhayaranyam. If we had read your article before going there, we would have visited this place as well.