Ecotourism in the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

Aralam wildlife sanctuary is the only protected area in Kannur district and is the northernmost sanctuary in Kerala. This sanctuary supports a variety of animal and plant communities exhibiting incredible diversity. The magnificent Meenmutty waterfalls, which is comparable to the Athirapally waterfalls of Kerala, is an added attraction to visit the sanctuary.

The department of tourism has sanctioned the following programmes for the implementation of ecotourism in the sanctuary like developing nature trails, providing outreach and factual information materials at interpretation centre, formation of trekking paths, imparting training to tribal youth in ecotourism and display of publicity boards and hoardings in important places.

Some of the programmes already implemented are, a Nakshtravanam (Garden) at Pookund and a suspension bridge to access it, toilet facilities at Valayamchal, nature trail at Valayamchal with tree labeling along the trail, bathing ghat facility at Nerikadavu, bamboo raft boat at Nerikadavu and corocle boating, tree huts at Pariputhodu and Bhoothamkallu, awareness boards on conservation in many places, steps to the stream at Memutty with handrail, and a viewpoint, entrance gate and ticket counter at Valayamchal.