The hilly area of Konni (Elephant Training Center), located 11 km from
Pathanamthitta, is the gate-way to the forest bordering the district.
Surrounded by acres of thick forest, it is an adventurous tourist spot
where one can go for thrilling elephant safaris and trekking. Konni has
the largest number of wild elephants in the state and is a major elephant
training center. In the past, wild elephants caught from the forests were
brought here and put in wooden cages known as 'anakoodu' (Elephant Cage)
till they were properly trained. After 1972, elephant hunting was stopped
since the central government put an end to this crude old method of elephant
catching and training. But the cage was preserved and it attracts hundreds
of tourists. Made of kambakam wood, anakoodu can accommodate 3- 4 elephants
at a time. Now it is home to elephants that were found alone at the AchanKovil
river. Konni is also an agricultural area rich in cash crops like rubber,
pepper, coffee, ginger etc.
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