Wayanad’s Birdman
Community tourism, at its heart, is about people and their stories—real lives lived with purpose, passion, and deep connection to the land. And sometimes, you meet individuals who are not easily defined by a single title. Their lives are layered, rich with meaning, and each encounter with them opens a door to a deeper understanding of the world we live in.
One such person is N.V. Krishnan from Thrikkaipetta village in Wayanad—fondly known as Krishnettan (Brother Krishnan). A serene figure with the quiet presence of a sage, Krishnettan is many things at once: a birder, an award-winning photographer, an organic farmer, and a committed conservationist.
Walk with him, and you’ll find that the journey is as enriching as the destination. As he guides you through his village—across paddy fields, along gurgling streams, beneath spice-laden trees, and into the shade of the Manikkunnu hills—what unfolds is not just a birding trail, but an immersion into the natural heritage of Wayanad.
Krishnettan speaks little at first. But ask him about a birdcall in the distance, or the grains growing in his fields, and his eyes light up. You begin to see the layers of his life: a farmer devoted to organic practices, growing paddy not just for food, but to protect life. One of his missions is the conservation of the Greater Painted-snipe, a rare ground bird that depends on wet paddy ecosystems—habitats that are fast disappearing.
In fact, it’s this very intention that drives his farming. On six acres of land, he cultivates not just rice, but a vision of harmony between humans and the wild. At a time when habitat loss is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in Wayanad, Krishnettan’s fields become a sanctuary—both for birds and for ideas.
He has documented over 140 species of birds in Thrikkaipetta alone, capturing their stories through the lens of his camera. His photographs—some of which have earned state and national recognition—are not just visual delights, but chronicles of patience, silent observation, and deep love for the winged wonders of this region.
Visitors are welcomed with open arms by Krishnettan and his family. His home, nestled within this biodiverse landscape, is more than a place of rest—it’s a gallery of memories. Each photograph on the wall comes with a tale: of waiting for hours to glimpse a shy bird, or of the moment he spotted a species long thought gone from the area.
A walk with Krishnettan isn’t just about spotting birds. It’s a gentle, profound reminder of the interconnections that weave life together—the intricate dependencies between fields, forests, water, and wings. In his quiet way, Krishnettan shows us that conservation isn’t a separate act—it is living mindfully, with care and reverence for all life forms.
When you walk back from Thrikkaipetta with Krishnettan’s stories echoing in your mind, you carry more than photographs or checklists. You carry an experience that transforms—a deeper awareness of how our actions ripple through nature, and how one person, rooted in love for his land, can create waves of change.
