Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary

Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is a 172.40 sq km protected area in the Western Ghats near Thenmala in Kollam district, Kerala. Established in 1984 within the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, it surrounds the Parappar Dam reservoir and protects tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. It is noted for the endemic Gluta travancorica tree, diverse wildlife, and its ecotourism programs managed by the Kerala Forest Department.

Visitors can expect dense tropical evergreen forest, the Parappar Dam reservoir and Shendurney River valley within the Western Ghats. Access is regulated and guided, with designated trekking trails, watch towers, boating on the reservoir, and birdwatching opportunities. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna including elephants, gaur, sambar, lion-tailed macaque and many bird species. Facilities are basic and centered at the Thenmala ecotourism zone with interpretation centre and forest lodges.

Declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1984 under the Kerala Forest Department, covering 172.403 sq km. It forms part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve and is centered on the Shendurney River valley submerged partly by the Parappar Dam (Thenmala Dam) built across the Kallada River. The sanctuary is named after the endemic tree Gluta travancorica locally called Chenkurunji or Chenkuruni.

Located in the Agasthyamala landscape traditionally associated with Sage Agastya and part of the Western Ghats cultural landscape. The surrounding forests are traditionally inhabited by the Kani tribal community, known for their ethnobotanical knowledge. The sanctuary is promoted as part of Thenmala Ecotourism, India's first planned ecotourism project.