Malom Wildlife Sanctuary

Malom Wildlife Sanctuary (celebrated across Kerala as the emerald crown of Vellarikundu highlands and the pristine tropical rainforest wilderness bordering Coorg), situated in the mist laden Western Ghats slopes of Malom just 50 km southeast of Kasaragod town in Kerala, is one of the state's most untouched, biodiverse, and scenic forest eco reserves.

Deriving its historic name from 'Malom' (meaning 'Land of Hills' in local folklore), this high altitude tropical evergreen and semi evergreen forest tract spans across the southern foothills of the Brahmagiri mountain range, acting as a protected catchment watershed for the Tejaswini River and sheltering rare endemic species of Western Ghats flora and fauna.

It's the home of dense multi tiered evergreen rainforests with towering Dipterocarpus and Hopea canopies, thrilling mountain trekking trails leading to the misty ridges of Kottancheri and Ranipuram, natural crystal waterfalls cascading over granite boulders into forest pools, thriving wildlife populations including wild Asian elephants, Indian gaurs (bison), leopards, sambar deer, barking deer, Nilgiri langurs, and Malabar giant squirrels, an extraordinary avifaunal sanctuary harboring over 200 bird species (including the Malabar Pied Hornbill, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, and Blue winged Parakeet), rare endemic butterflies, ancient tribal settlement traditions of the Mavilan community, and refreshing mountain breezes where temperatures stay cool throughout the year.

It represents a rich wilderness, botanical, and eco trekking sanctuary where virgin Western Ghats rainforest preservation, sustainable community ecotourism, sacred mountain watershed conservation, and deep wilderness peace unite in Balal grama panchayat.

Located in Malom village in Vellarikundu taluk, it sits 32 km from Kanhangad Railway Station (KZE), 36 km from Nileshwar (NLE), 50 km from Kasaragod, and 95 km from Mangalore International Airport (IXE), easily accessible by forest jeep trails and rural KSRTC buses running between Kanhangad and Konnakkad/Malom.

The Virgin Evergreen Rainforest Canopies

The forests of Malom feature untouched primary evergreen tracts where ancient hardwood trees rise over 40 meters, filtering sunlight onto lush fern floors.

These dense rainforest canopies generate continuous localized humidity and cool microclimates, making the reserve an essential sanctuary for amphibians and rare orchids.

Truth is, listening to the echoing calls of Malabar giant squirrels high above in the canopy while fresh mountain water bubbles over forest rocks is purely therapeutic.

Western Ghats Wildlife & Birding Trails

Elephant & Gaur Habitat: The sanctuary's bamboo thickets provide rich fodder for herds of wild elephants and Indian bison roaming down from Coorg hills.

Birdwatcher's Paradise: Enthusiasts can spot rare endemic Western Ghats birds including the Malabar Whistling Thrush, Crimson fronted Barbet, and Emerald Dove.

Eco Trekking to Kottancheri & Konnakkad

Ridge Trekking: Popular hiking trails link Malom with the high altitude shola grasslands of Kottancheri Hills and Konnakkad base camp.

Indigenous Mavilan Heritage: Local Mavilan indigenous guides offer authentic interpretations of forest botany, medicinal roots, and wildlife tracking.

After exploring the rainforest depths of Malom Wildlife Sanctuary, trek the shola ridges of Kottancheri Hills, visit the 32 acre Kareem's Forest Park, or tour the 17th century Bekal Fort in Kasaragod.