As part of community-based eco-tourism (CBE) initiative of forest department, a group of city residents were taken by officials, field staff and trained eco-guides for a trek in Kiluvamalai Reserve Forests here on Sunday.
Starting early in the morning, the 20-odd members, from the age of 11 years onwards, set out on a six-km ‘Hare Trail’ trek in Kiluvamalai Reserve Forests.
The trekkers, who covered the trail in the thorny and scrubby forest, managed to spot a bison and a few peacocks.
S. Anand, a birdwatcher, said he had spotted a Brown Fly Catcher, Purple Sunbird, a few mynahs, babblers and Indian Coukal as well.
Speaking about the experience, Bharati Kishore said she enjoyed the trek and expected to go for one of the more challenging treks in Sirumalai after this.
“Though there is in immense potential for such treks and activities in the district, there is not much awareness. People may now come to know about these eco-tourism treks which are enjoyable and a learning experience as well,” said Sachin Shah, another trekker.
Among the trekkers was also 69-year-old Rekha Shah, who said she enjoyed the experience of the trek despite the dry and rough terrain.
“Under the eco-tourism initiative, the forest department is offering three options on different routes. The 16-km-long ‘Bison Trail’ will take trekkers through Sirumalai Reserve Forests, the 10-km-long ‘Deer Trail’ will cover Thottapanaikanur South Reserve Forests and the six-km-long ‘Hare Trail’ in Kiluvamalai Reserve Forests,” said District Forest Officer Nihar Ranjan.
Eco-tourists in groups of up to 30 persons could make use of trekking packages available during weekends and register for them, he said.
