Forest Day Kulathupuzha

About this event

The Forest Day celebration associated with Kulathupuzha in Kollam district provides an opportunity to highlight the ecological importance of forests and the role of communities in their conservation. Observed in connection with the International Day of Forests on 21 March, the programme reflects the global initiative proclaimed by the United Nations to raise awareness of the importance of forests and trees. The 2026 International Day of Forests focused on “Forests and economies”, drawing attention to the contribution of forests to livelihoods, employment, food systems, water security, climate regulation and sustainable development. Kulathupuzha lies within a forested landscape of eastern Kollam and is administered through the Kerala Forest Department’s Kulathupuzha Forest Range. The village is situated along the Kulathupuzha River and the Thiruvananthapuram–Shenkottai road, with extensive forest surroundings forming part of the eastern Kollam landscape. A Forest Day programme in this setting can bring attention to biodiversity, habitat protection, sustainable forest management and the relationship between forests and local communities. Environmental education and public-awareness activities are particularly relevant to the occasion, helping participants understand the ecological services provided by forests, including watershed protection, soil conservation, climate regulation and support for biodiversity. The international observance also encourages practical activities such as tree-planting campaigns, exhibitions, educational programmes and community initiatives. Kulathupuzha’s location near the forests of the southern Western Ghats adds ecological context to such programmes, while the surrounding riverine and forest landscapes provide opportunities for nature-oriented learning. The wider region includes important forest and wildlife landscapes associated with Thenmala and the Shenduruney area, where moist mixed deciduous and other forest types occur across hilly terrain. Rather than being defined by a fixed entertainment programme, Forest Day activities are best understood as environmental-awareness initiatives whose format can vary from year to year according to the organising forest authorities and participating institutions. Depending on the annual programme, activities may include awareness sessions, educational displays, student participation, conservation messages and other community-oriented initiatives. Any forest walk or field activity is subject to the directions of the Forest Department and the conditions applicable to the particular forest area. The celebration therefore serves as a platform for connecting environmental education with the living forest landscape of Kulathupuzha, while reinforcing the broader message that healthy forests are essential to ecological stability, sustainable livelihoods and the well-being of present and future generations.

🚆 Railway: Thenmala Railway Station — approximately 10 km from Kulathupuzha.

✈️ Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport — approximately 60–65 km from Kulathupuzha by road.

🚌 Bus: Kulathupuzha is connected by frequent bus services with Kollam and other nearby towns; it lies on the Thiruvananthapuram–Shenkottai road.

🏨 Stay: Accommodation options include hotels, lodges and homestays in and around Kulathupuzha and Thenmala; Kerala Tourism also lists a serviced villa in Kulathupuzha.

✅ Notes: The International Day of Forests is observed annually on 21 March. The exact activities at Kulathupuzha depend on the annual programme of the Forest Department and participating organisations; forest walks, field visits or other activities inside forest areas should be undertaken only with the required permission and according to current Forest Department instructions. The Kerala Forest Department lists the Kulathupuzha Forest Range Office as the relevant local forest authority.