Konni Eco Tourism Centre

Konni Eco Tourism Centre is a forest-based eco-tourism destination in Konni, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, managed by the Kerala Forest Department. Located on the banks of the Achankovil River within the Konni Reserve Forest, it is known for its historic elephant kraal, elephant museum, and captive elephant camp. The centre offers nature trails, boating, and educational exhibits focused on forestry and elephant conservation, serving as a gateway to the Western Ghats forests.

Visitors can expect a forested riverside complex with a historic elephant kraal (wooden cage), an elephant museum, and enclosures where captive elephants are housed and cared for. The site includes landscaped grounds, forest trails, a hanging bridge, boating on the Achankovil River, children's park area, and interpretation centres explaining forestry and elephant training history. The environment is shaded by dense forest with opportunities for photography, nature walks and learning about elephant conservation.

Konni has a long history as an elephant training centre for the forests of the Western Ghats. The large wooden elephant kraal (Aanakkoodu) at the site was constructed in 1942 to house and train wild elephants captured from the forests. The area was historically used by the forest department for timber operations and elephant management, and now preserves this forestry heritage through the museum and camp.

The centre reflects Kerala's deep cultural association with elephants, which hold importance in temple festivals and forestry traditions. It serves as an educational site highlighting the role of elephants in Kerala's forest economy and conservation culture, and promotes eco-tourism awareness linked to the Western Ghats forest heritage.