Thenmala, in the forested Western Ghats east of Kollam, is almost always introduced with one phrase: India’s first planned eco-tourism destination. It is worth knowing where that phrase comes from. It is the operator’s own description of itself, and the operator’s own wording is carefully hedged — Thenmala Ecotourism has been *conceived as* a first planned ecotourism destination in India. There is no register, certification or ministry order behind it. What Thenmala did genuinely win is a National Tourism Award from the Union Ministry of Tourism for 2003–04, in the category Best Ecotourism Practices in India. Built around a dam and reservoir on the edge of the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, it packages forest, adventure and gardens into a family-friendly day in the hills.
The zones
The site is organised into zones. The adventure zone has mountain biking, rock climbing, a rope bridge and trekking trails; and the leisure zone has a sculpture garden, a musical fountain and a swaying bridge over the water. (A culture zone is named in almost every description of Thenmala including older versions of this one, but the operator’s own site carries no culture zone page and its tariff no culture zone line.) Around them are the dam and reservoir, a deer rehabilitation area and boating. Beyond the developed core, the Shendurney forests offer guided treks — soft walks to harder full-day routes — inside the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve.
Getting there and when to go
Thenmala is about 65 km east of Kollam on the road toward the Tamil Nadu border, reachable by road or by the scenic train line via Punalur. October to March is the most comfortable season; the monsoon makes the forest lush but the trails slippery. Guided forest treks must be arranged through the eco-tourism office — book ahead, especially for the longer routes.
- Thenmala works well as a family day out — the adventure and leisure zones suit mixed groups.
- Forest treks into Shendurney are permit-and-guide only, arranged at the Wildlife Warden's office rather than the eco-tourism counter; book ahead. Rosemala itself needs no permit — there is a ticketed departmental viewpoint at ₹83 a head, and only the walks beyond the settlement are guided.
- The train to Punalur and on toward the ghats is a scenic way in.
- Pair Thenmala with Palaruvi Waterfalls nearby, at its best just after the monsoon.
Frequently asked questions
What is Thenmala known for?
Being billed as India’s first planned eco-tourism destination — a dam-side site in the Kollam hills with an adventure zone and a leisure zone, a musical fountain, boating and guided forest treks. Two caveats worth carrying: that “first planned” line is the operator’s own self-description rather than an award or a certification (the real award is a National Tourism Award for 2003–04, Best Ecotourism Practices in India), and the widely repeated third “culture zone” has no page and no tariff line on the operator’s own website.
How far is Thenmala from Kollam?
About 65 km east, toward the Tamil Nadu border, reachable by road or by the scenic railway via Punalur.
Can you trek in the forests at Thenmala?
Yes. The Shendurney sanctuary programmes are permit-and-guide and are arranged at the Wildlife Warden's office, not the eco-tourism counter — they are different institutions. Rosemala is the exception: the drive up and the viewpoint are simply ticketed at ₹83 a head, and only the walks beyond the village are guided.