Pathiramanal bird sanctuary

Pathiramanal is a small island located on the border of Kottayam – Alappuzha Districts in Kerala, India. The name ‘Pathiramanal’ means ‘Sands of night’. The scenic beauty of both sides of the lake as well as that of the island is mind blowing. It is home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world.

The area of the Pathiramanal Island is about 10 acres. The island has beautiful scenery and breathtaking surroundings. There is a story connected with this island. It is said that a young brahmin boy dived in to the lake and the waters made way for the boy. The land that rose when the waters made way became the beautiful and enchanting Pathiramanal Island, meaning “Island of the midnight sands”.

The island (also known as Anantha Padmanabhan Thoppu) was purchased by Chevalier ACM Anthraper, from M/s Bheemji Devji Trust of Cochin and was under the private ownership until the late seventies. In 1979 after Land Reforms Acts were enforced in the State, the property came under government ownership. The island was returned to the government as a surplus land that crossed the land ceiling. It was later transferred to the Tourism Department and the idea of leasing it out to private enterprises was under consideration. The island at present is uninhabited. Till late seventies of the 20th century 14 worker families resided in the island, who were later rehabilitated on the mainland in the Muhamma panchayath.

Mythological and Historical References

The name Pathiramanal literally means ‘midnight sand’. According to legend, a famous Brahmin, Vilwamangalathu Swamiar, during a night boat ride through Lake Vembanad, wanted to ‘answer the call of Nature’. For this, he magically created the island, at night, from the lake; hence, the name.

History has a different story to tell. The island belonged to a landlord by the name of Parayi Tharakan. Bheemji Devji, a Gujarathi trader from Kochi, , purchased it from him. Later, Chevalier ACM Anthraper bought the land from the M/s. Bheemji Devji Trust of Cochin and took over the management of the coconut plantation there.

Fourteen families of labourers resided in the island during that time. With the enactment of the Land Reforms Act in the second half of the 20th century, the property came under the control of the government and was, later, handed over to the Department of Tourism. The 14 families were rehabilitated in Muhamma Panchayat and the island gradually became a haven for migratory birds.

Eco-tourism at Pathiramanal

The Government has recently introduced a project named the Pathiramanal Biodiversity Conservation and Responsible Eco-tourism Development Project in the island. The project aims to make the island a sought-after destination. The focus areas of the project include a management plan for the lake, conservation of mangroves and other plant species, cleaning the island and enhancing its biodiversity.

Rich birdlife at Pathiramanal

The island is home to about 90 species of birds and 30 species of butterflies. There are about 160 species of plants, 55 species of fish and 20 species of spiders on the island.

As human disturbances are minimal in the island, it has become a roosting place for water birds, mainly of the cormorant family. Other birds seen include the darter, Indian Shag, Purple Heron, Indian Pound Heron, Large Cormorant, Night Heron, Black Bittern, Chestnut Bittern and Yellow Bittern, Little Egret, Median Egret, Large Egret, Cattle Egret and Grey Heron.

Common teals, Pheasant-tailed and Bronze-winged Jacanas, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Watercock, Whistling Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Whiskered Tern and Smooth Indian Otters (Lutra lutra)  also inhabit the island.

The backwaters between the island and the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary are a favourite haunt of migratory birds from Siberia and Europe.

Getting There

The Pathiramanal is an hour and half drive by motor boat from Alappuzha, Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom.One can also take boats plying on the Muhamma – Kumarkaom route. It takes around 40 minutes from Kumarakom to Pathiramanal.

By Air : The nearest airport is Kochi International Airport, 70 km.

By Rail : The nearest rail head is Cherthala Railway station,11 km away from Thaneermukkom.

By Road : The nearest KSRTC bus stand is at Cherthala,7 kms away from Thaneermukkom.Cherthala is well connected to most part of Kerala.