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The Attractions
in & around

 

The teak plantation
- Conolly's Plot

The plantation is named in honor of H.V. Conolly, the then Collector of Malabar during the British rule who was instrumental in planting teak in the entire Nilambur area with the help of Shri Chanthu Menon ,a forest officer under him. The plot extends across 2.31 hectares beside the Chaliyar river at Aruvakode, where a country boat ferries visitors across. This plantation was done about 150 years ago ie. around the year 1842 -1844 and was thus known as the world's first teak plantation.

The plot has also been acclaimed for having the oldest living teak tree (girth 420 cms & height 46.5 meters) and Shri Chanthu Menon, was laid to rest in this very teak garden , Conolly's plot, as a mark of honour.

The Teak Museum

Four kilometres away from the town, on the Nilambur - Gudallur roadside stands the world's first Teak Museum. In the Teak Museum, a visitor can have a first hand information on all aspects of teak. Established by the Kerala Forest Research Institute in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department, it is thematic museum housing historical, cultural and aesthetic and scientific aspects of teak, all under one roof, arranged in the two storied building. A collection of bamboo trees on the way to the museum imparts a special beauty to the place. The carved teak door at the entrance of the museum has a painting of the oldest living teak tree, the Kannimara teak. Among the several exhibits displayed, the root system of a mature teak tree is perhaps the most interesting of all. Paintings on the walls remind one of the early histories of teak planting. The miniature model of an antique sailing vessel made of teak wood and a painting of a sailing ship are the other attractions. Logs of a 116-year-old tree have also been preserved. A world literature on teak is available in the library.

 

The Biggest Living Teak: Kannimara teak

It is the biggest living teak tree not only in India but also in the world, located in Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary in the district of Palghat, Kerala. It is 47.5 m tall with a girth of 642 cm. It is located at a distance of 80kms from Nilambur.

Nedumkayam- the rich rain forests

Situated at a distance of 18 km from Nilambur town,Nedumkayam is noted specially for its rich rain forests. The wooden rest house built here by the British offers a panoramic view of the elephants and deers grazing in the forest near by . One has to get prior permission from the Forest Department to enter the forest zone. Heavy restrictions are imposed as a measure to save the existing forest land. An elephant taming center is also here.

Valamthode Waterfalls

Beyond Chaliyar river, 27 Km from Nilambur, is Valamthode, a hill top where a perennial waterfall attracts people. This too is a tribal settlement. Road accessibility is through Kozhikode district by Areekode-Mukkam Road.

Adyanpara Waterfalls

Adyanpara in Kurmbalangod village of Nilambur Taluk is famous for its waterfalls and the splendor of the wooded jungle surrounding it. This cascade is a spectacle of unrivalled grandeur. The wild beauty of this place is a rare treat for the eyes and heart of the travellers.

The Elembalai hill

This hill is situated on the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu from where the river Chaliyar originates and is clothed in dense forests and bamboo woods that add beauty to the place. The region is a beloved homestead of innumerable birds and animals. For a lover of nature, a botanist or a naturalist, this region offers every charm in its forests, mountains ,valleys and cultivated plains. Elephants, bisons, deers, tigers, blue monkeys, bears, rabbits, wild cats and dogs are found in the forest along with an innumerable variety of birds and reptiles.

 

Aruvacode :
land of potters & pottery works

It is a small village near Nilambur that has become famous for the presence of its potters. With the influx of cheap industrial substitutes, these villagers had all but lost their interest in the traditional skills, but for a small movement led by activist-designer K B Jinan who , rekindled their hope. Together, they explored the possibilities of terra-cotta suited for the modern context and Kumbham was born. Today Kumbham is hailed as a rare instance of a traditional artisan community rehabilitating itself through the very craft they have been alienated from. Over the last few years many a product has come out of their kilns which are notable for their form as well as function. Kumbham products now find wide acceptance in households, corporate offices, hotels and resorts.

The Kavanakallu Regulator cum bridge

Constructed over the Chaliyar river, 13 Kms away from Kondotty hill, the regulator cum bridge has 95 percentage of its construction completed. After the completion of the regulator, a 60 Kms long artificial lake will be formed. A big scheme is underway to develop Chaliyar as a major tourist center.

Central Forest Nursery:

This is one of the four central forest nurseries in Kerala and was established during the year 1997,at Valluvassery by the Kerala Forest Department. With a view to meet the requirements of good quality planting stock of important plantation species like teak, eucalypts, acacias, etc., the nursery is fully equipped to produce root trainer seedlings and rooted cuttings of these species in required quantities. The average annual production of the nursery during the past three years was: 1.5 lakh teak root-trainer seedlings, 1.2 lakh of eucalypt seedlings, 0.5 lakh seedlings of acacias, and 0.9 lakh seedlings of miscellaneous species.

Kovilakoms : the residences of
the local rajas

Nilambur town is also famous for housing a cluster of kovilakoms, the residences of the local rajas or rulers of earlier days. These structures are famous for their beautiful frescoes and artworks in wood.

The Nilambur Pattu, an ancient festival, which is noted for its Kalampattu or ritual powder drawing on floor, falls in the month of February.

Primitive tribe
Cholai Naikars

A half hour journey from Nedumkayam(18 km from Nilambur town), through the dense forests, by jeep takes one to Mancheri, the home of the Cholai Naikars, a primitive tribe.Yet another tribal settlement of this region is on the hilltops of Valamthode which can be reached only from Kozhikode through the Areekode - Mukkam road. Valamthode is about 27 km from Nilambur, beyond the Chaliyar River.

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