The tourism potential of Pachamalai in the district, located at an altitude of 800 feet above the sea level, has remained untapped. The Tourism Department has struck the right chord and has sanctioned a comprehensive eco-tourism programme in this hills, which forms part of the Eastern Ghats. The scheme being implemented by the Forest Department is bound to come as a shot in the arm to the tourism industry in this part of the region.
A series of suits designed on the tree-top model, dormitory for men and women, a new passage towards waterfalls and a watchtower are some of the important infrastructure provided by the Tourism Department through the Forest Department.
A slew of infrastructure is bound to provide optimum entertainment charm and facility to the tourists. A 4-km trekking trail has been paved from Maamarathusolai with two rest rooms.
Thenpuranadu or Top Sengattupatti as the village is popularly known, has been chosen for accommodating the tourists. Two models of tree-top houses are being constructed. While a row of four tree-top houses of smaller area has an area of about 400 square feet each, a “mushroom” tree-top house has a larger area of about 650 square feet.
The houses have been designed in such a manner that the tourists will enjoy the scenic beauty and serene atmosphere of the hills, according to Forest official sources.
A children’s park and a medicinal park are the other major development works being executed at Thenpuranadu. “Medicinal plants include a variety of species such as ‘milagu thakkali’, ‘vallarai’, ‘sirukurichi’, ‘tiruneetru pachilai’, ‘kavil thumbai’, and ‘panjaakorai’.
Watchtower
A couple of watch towers is another highlight. While one watchtower is ready at Top Sengattupatti, the second one will come up at Murugan Kovil at Keezhakarai. The height of the watchtower is 120 feet.
Waterfalls
Provision of access to the waterfalls has been another major tourism attraction on the hills.
The Forest Department has built 72 steps – each measuring two feet by three feet to reach the falls. The scenic beauty of Koraiyar and Periyapakkalam falls. Surrounded by thick trees all around, the ambience in the vicinity of the falls is bound to attract people of all age groups.
The Tourism Department has sanctioned Rs. 2.3 crore towards the eco-tourism project and the work will be completed by April, according to N. Satish, District Forest Officer. The objective of the eco-tourism is to improve the socio-economic condition of the tribal people.
The Forest Department has floated eco-tourism management committees one each at Top Sengattupatti, Keezhakarai, Semboor, and Chinnamangalam. Income generated from tourists will be utilised by the committees which comprises the people of the village and forest officials as office-bearers.
With its cool chimes, Pachamalai is sure to emerge as a place to chill for the people of central region.
