Kumarakom is a tourist village in Kottayam district, Kerala, India. It is primarily cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala. Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit. The Vembanad Lake is the largest backwater in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with Karime ,shrimp and prawns. The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres, and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government and the local people. It is a major tourist attraction and attracts tourists from all over the world.The beauty of the place has attracted many critics one of the best example being Arundhati Ray whose award winning novel “God of Small Things” is based on a small village near Kumarakom.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a bird lover’s paradise and a favourite haunt of migratory birds. The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo,duck etc as well as the migratory Siberian crane. Parrot, teal, lark, flycatcher, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons. Some of the migratory birds come from the Himalayas, and a few from far away from Russia and Siberia. Dawn is the ideal time for bird watching when the birds prepare to leave their forest homes and fly over the lake. An early morning trek, well before sunrise, is recommended for avid bird watchers.
