Nilambur

Located along the Chaliyar river, Nilambur town is an absolute eco-tourist’s paradise. Thick forests, flowing rivers and the Nilgiri Mountains, provide a rich diversity for tourism options. The world’s first teak plantation was developed at the Canolly Plot abut 150 years ago in the mid 19th century. It is named after H.V. Canolly, the then Collector of Malabar. Along with Chathu Menon, Canolly established the teak plantation in Nilambur. The oldest teak tree, Kannimari, is situated in the Canolly Plot.

The nearest airport to Nilambur is Calicut International Airport at Karippur, 45km away. The city is well connected by trains from Shornur and Palakkad. Buses and taxis, too, connect it with Malappuram, Calicut, Shornur and Cochin.

Varieties of teak, rosewood, venteak, choropin, mahogoni, kulamavu and villapine that grow here are used in the plywood industry. Bamboo is grown in most parts of the forest. The Nilgiri Biosphere Project is underway to protect and regenerate the natural forests. Afforestation is also undertaken in the Wasteland Development Programme.

Eighteen km from Nilambur is Nedumkayam, a town known for its rain forests. A wooden rest house built by the British presents a panoramic view of the elephants and deer grazing in the forests. After gaining permission from the Forest Department to enter the forest zone, you can visit the elephant taming centre, walk through nature trails and see other wildlife.

The teak museum four km from town, is the first one of its kind in the world and was established by the Kerala Forest Research Institute in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department. There is information on the historical, cultural and scientific aspects of teak. The carved teak door at the museum’s entrance has a painting of the oldest living teak tree—the Kannimara teak. Among the exhibits, you can find the root system of a mature teak tree. A miniature model of an antique sailing vessel made of teak wood and a painting of a sailing ship are the other attractions. A global-level literature on teak is available in its library.

Twenty seven km from Nilambur, is Valamthode, with a hilltop perennial waterfall that attracts a lot of visitors. It is a tribal settlement and can be accessed by road by the Areekode-Mukkam Road. Adyanpara falls, located in Kurmbalangod village is famous for its waterfalls and forests around it.

The Elembalai hill, situated on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, from where the river Chaliyar originates, is covered by thick forests and bamboo jungles. Elephants, bisons, deer, tigers, blue monkeys, bears, rabbits, wild cats and many varieties of birds are found here.

There are many interesting homestays and resorts that have come up in and around Nilambur. Its easy access to the Nilgiri Mountains and bio-reserves has given travel and tourist agencies to set up vacation packages in a variety of offers.

 

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Reviews

  • “Tucked away in northeastern Kerala, this hill town is right on the map of Kerala tourism. The teak forests are awesome.”Barry Trump
    U.S
  • “Just grab your bag and get straight to Cochin. Drive up to Nilambur. Trek in the forests, bathe in mountain streams, walk within tribal settlements and just enjoy....”Matthew Hitkins
    France

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