: Soon, nature lovers can book a stay in a solar-powered eco hut, go on trekking and taste traditional food at the Amirthi forest range. The Forest Department is rolling out its ecotourism programme and interesting offers are in store for nature enthusiasts and adventure lovers.
Across the State, 25 places have been earmarked for the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity and Greening Project to promote ecotourism.
Of this, two places in Vellore district – Amirthi in the Vellore forest division and Angunthi in the Tirupattur forest division – have been selected, according to P. Murugesan, forest range officer, Amirthi.
At Amirthi, which is 25 km from Vellore city, the Goddaru waterfalls is at the heart of the ecotourism programme. It offers stay in eco-huts, trekking, visit to interpretation centre and traditional spread of delicacies.
He said residents of surrounding villages of Amirthi and Neepallampattu have been selected and trained to carry out activities under the programme.
The villagers have been roped in to improve their livelihood. Three men self-help groups have been trained to guide tourists and take them on trekking.
“To start with, the department is establishing two eco-huts near the Amirthi Zoo at a cost of Rs. 1.8 lakh each. The huts will be solar powered,” said Somesh Soman, district forest officer, Vellore.
Work on an interpretation centre is nearing completion. The ground floor of this centre would throw light on animals in the country by way of display boards, while a model of the Amirthi Zoo and the forest would be set up on the first floor, Collector S. A. Raman told reporters.
Visitors can go on a trek in four routes for a distance of 800 metres to 10 km. They would be served traditional food such as ragi and greens here.
Tourists will be charged Rs. 750 a day, inclusive of food, to stay in the eco-huts. A family of two would be charged Rs. 1,000 a day.
Officials will also arrange for vehicles to pick up tourists once they reach Vellore. Short-guided trek to the Goddaru waterfalls and a zoo visit are included in the package. Tourists can also opt for other activities such as guided bird watching as additional package.
Mr. Soman added that various works such as furnishing of eco huts were nearing completion, and the ecotourism programme will be rolled out within a month at Amirthi.
