Community Involvement
This unique sanctuary is actively protected and managed by the Koonthankulam village community. The local people take a keen interest in protecting this sanctuary and they live together in total symbiotic harmony.
Birds coming to villagers backyards are protected vehemently and regarded as harbingers of luck. The excreta of birds and silt from the tanks is collected by villagers in summer and applied as fertilizer to their fields. All villagers protect the birds, their nests and fledgelings. Fallen chicks are taken care of in the rescue centre till they are able to fly on their own. Anyone disturbing the nests are punished by shaving their head, or making a public procession on a donkey. The Indian festival Diwali is not celebrated here because the sound of crackers would drive away the winged visitors.
An interpretation centre, watch tower, children's park and dormitary are open for public use throughout the year.
Read more about this topic: Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary
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