BIRD WATCHER'S PUNCHAKARRI

Punchakarri is an agricultural village near Kovalam in Trivandrum District. The area is located at a distance of just 7 km from Trivandrum city. Punchakarri is also famous for the presence of a toddy shop there. Paddy was cultivated till some years ago, so most of the areas were wetlands. But the farmers have turned into cultivation of vegetables

Punchakarri is a paradise for bird watchers and photographers .Because of the presence of wetlands (even though diminishing) many migratory birds from all over the globe come here. Pelican, Pied Kingfisher, Sandpiper are the main species of migratory birds which comes here.

These birds arrive here just after monsoon that is from august to October. Many other species also comes here but I cannot recognize and identify other birds. Many bird watchers and photographers come here to capture them in their lenses, even from foreign countries. Punchakkari is a part of Vellayani Lake, which is the largest freshwater lake in the district. A road has been constructed for transportation purpose, which is still not tarred (popularly known as Punchakarri bund).Bird enthusiasts also conducts bird walk here.

Punchakarri is also familiar to almost all Malayalam movie lovers as it was the shooting location of the blockbuster movie “Kireedam” released in1989.There is a bridge there which is popularly called as “Kireedam Paalam”.

The activities that can be done here are bird watching, experiencing traditional agricultural farming and fishing or angling. The vegetables cultivated here are mostly sold in Chalai market in Trivandrum city. Fresh farm vegetables will be available for buying from here during cultivation period.The leaves of lotus from here are collected and send to nearby states like Tamil Nadu Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for food and packing purposes.5 km from here is Vellayani Lake and Agricultural College where you can buy good vegetables and vegetable seeds, plants etc

How To Reach

Nearest Airport-Trivandrum International Airport. (9 km)

Nearest Railway Station-Trivandrum Central (8 km)

Nearest Bus Station – Kizhake Kotta/ East-Fort (Trivandrum City) (7 km).

KSRTC Buses are available from East fort bus stand-route No-119 B

Stay And Food

No hotel and restaurant is available here. So have adequate food and water before coming here. And for night stay, you have to search for rooms in Trivandrum city itself as no accommodation is available in Punchakarri.

Nearby Attractions-Kovalam, Vellayani Lake, Agricultural College etc.