The forests of Agasthyakoodam are rich in rare medicinal herbs and plant, and hued orchids and a sizable proportion of around 2000 medicinal plants used in the traditional systems of medicine are found here. The biodiversity of the region is enhanced by the altitudinal variations and in 1992, an area covering around 23 sq kms was established as Agasthya Vanam Biological Park. The intention was to restore the degraded forests and to use it for educational purpose. This hill ranges is a bird watcher's paradise and is accessible by foot from Kotoor near Neyyar Dam. The season from December to April is advocated for trekking and is a distance of 28 kms to the top which takes approximately two days and trekking is permitted only between December and April. Contact the office of the Wildlife Warden, at + 91 - 471 - 2368607 for trekking permit.