Abhayaranyam mini zoo is part of the ecotourism project that was begun in 2010-2011 in Kaprikkad Village which is 12 km from Perumbavoor Town in the state of Kerala in India. With increase in the number of animals in the 2.5–acre Kodanad Elephant Training Center in the banks of the Periyar River, it became necessary to move the animals to another spacious area. Thus, the Abhayaranyam project was initiated and it aimed at rehabilitating elephants as well as other animals. Trekking ifrom Kaprikkad or Abhayaranyam to Panamkuzhy is the main program. Here, there are so many things to see and experience, like the Mahogany grove, bathing in Periyar, wooden houses, bamboo huts, butterfly park, orchidarium, garden, medicinal plant garden, palm dates along with other flora and fauna of the state. In the park, there is an interpretation center and Salim Ali Nature Study Hall. Trekking and nature camps are conducted. There are hundreds of spotted deers and Sambar Deers. Visitors get a chance to walk through the sidewalks in the natural forests and enjoy the beauty of nature. There is trong fencing with tree sticks which cater to the purpose of protecting the animals and the nature in the most natural way. From outside the fence, people can have a view of the animals roaming around in the natural forest area. Because of this elephant training center, the village has become a major tourist attraction. Most of the tourists are actually not familiar with the name “Abhayaranyam Ecotourism Project” the main reason being that it is not yet included in the tourist map of Kerala. Nonetheless, if the project is fully implemented in adherence with the plan of the government, hopefully, this place will become an important spot in Ernakulam District.
Abhayaranyam Zoo View Kodanad Perumbavoor
