Enjoy the best of nature and wild life that Nilambur has in store for the tourist and manifested in a variety of ways in its extensive forests teeming with bamboos, teak, rosewood, venteak, choropin, mahagoni, etc. This beautiful town on the bank of the Chaliyar River is at a distance of 70 km from Calicut , 100 km from Ooty (Uddagamandalam) and 40 km from Malappuram town. Located in the eastern side of Malappuram district, Kerala, this small sleepy town has a surprise in store for its visitors.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 .
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.
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.
