In a move to educate children on the importance of forests and to imbibe life skills in them, Tamil Nadu Forest Department has launched an exclusive ecotourism camp-cum-skill development programme for school students at Poochimarathur near Pilloor Dam.
An initiative by I. Anwardeen, Chief Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore, and S. Ramasubramanian, District Forest Officer, the camp offers free sessions for 80 government school students a month. The camp is conducted in association with Silver Tongue - a Coimbatore-based language and skill development training centre. “Though the camp costs Rs. 800 per student, we have made arrangements to offer the same package free of cost for students. It is open to school and college students. So far 150 students have visited the camp,” said R. Rajamohan, Assistant Conservator of Forest.
Forty students from the Peelamedu Corporation School visited the camp on January 20. “The camp starts early in the morning with a trekking during which the students get to see and learn about the flora and fauna of Western Ghats. The Forest Rangers guiding the students will teach them to track and record the animals. After the trek, the students will participate in team building exercises and traditional games. The students also get to know the tribal culture and food directly from tribal people, said Mr. Rajamohan. As of now, it is a day-camp due to lack of lodging facilities. Officials said that the Department was constructing a camp house at Puchimarathoor, after which night stay will also be included in the programme.
