About this experience
Nestled behind the Kerala High Court in the heart of Kochi, the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary spans a compact 2.74 ha (0.0274 km²) yet plays an outsized role as the city's "green lung" . This tidal wetland, with its shallow lake connected to the Kochi backwaters, supports a thriving ecosystem amid the urban hustle .
Mangalavanam is a nesting ground for a large variety of migratory birds is one of the best places for birdwatchers and twitchers. This green paradise is also a roosting place for residents as well as migratory birds. A survey conducted in 2006 revealed that there were 194 birds belonging to 32 species, in Mangalavanam.
The place gives also shelter to species of mammals including Indian flying-fox, painted bat, Eurasian otter, house rat and three-striped palm squirrel. Further, we have two species of amphibians, Indian cricket frog (limnonectes limnocharis) and Asian Common Toad (duttaphrynus melanostictus).
Please don't be surprised if you don't find any birds in this sanctuary - recent reviews mention that Mangalavanam is poorly maintained, and that there were no birds at all.
Getting there
🚤 Get down at High Court water metro station. Mangalavanam is about 700 meters walk from the high court station.
🚌 You can get buses from anywhere in Kochi to Marine Drive. Get down at either Marine drive or at the Market bus stop. Mangalavanam is about 1.2 kilometers walk from Marine drive (or 650 meters walk from Market bus stop), and 1 kilometer from the High court junction bus stop.
🛺 Auto Rickshaw from Marine drive, Kochi to Mangalavanam entrance should cost less than 100 Rs.
🚆 Mangalavanam is about 4 kilometers from Ernakulam Junction railway station. You can take an auto rickshaw or bus from the train station for the last leg.