Tamil Nadu forest department to launch eco-tour in Nilgiris soon

UDHAGAMANDALAM: The forest department is all set to introduce an eco-package tour. About 25 sites across the state, including the Nilgris have been identified for the purpose. According to officials, even though there are conducted tours covering major tourist destinations in the Nilgiris, an eco-tourism package is the first of its kind in the state. “The proposed tour project includes three main locations, Longwood Sholas, Kodanadu View Point and St Catherine Waterfall, all near Kotagiri,” said S Ramasubramanian, district forest officer, north division.

The programme conducted under the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project is all set to begin within a month, he said.

The two-day programme includes trekking and bird watching inside the Long Wood Sholas and a breath-taking visual treat of the Nigiri hills from the Kodanadu View point. During the tour, visitors will be made to stay at a trekking shed at the Long Wood Sholas overnight. The package tour will conclude with a visit to St Catherine Waterfalls and a visit to the nearby Toda habitat at Kodithenimund. A visit to the adjoining tea estates and tea factories will also be a part of the tour.

In addition to the most picturesque, panoramic views of some of the tea estates and the river Moyar, tourists can also see the actual point where the Eastern and Western Ghats meet at the Kodanadu view point.

“The eco-tour will be a two-day programme which includes trekking inside the forest and bird watching. Only 20 persons will be accommodated in a single trip,” said Ramasubramanian. The tour will strictly be an environmental friendly one. Plastics and littering will not be allowed during the journey, he added.

The excess amount collected after deducting expenses will be handed over to people located near the tour sites. A village committee, comprising residents of surrounding villages and a few local self help groups has been formed for this purpose, the DFO said. The forest department has already renovated the glass tower located at Kodanadu View Point at a cost of Rs.2 lakh.