The community-based eco-tourism project, funded by the Tourism Department and executed by the Forest Department, currently being implemented on Pachamalai in the district will be completed in two months. This being the first venture on the hills located at a height of 800 feet above sea level, more facilities will be provided based on the feedback and demand of the visiting tourists, said K.S. Palanisamy.
The Collector visited the site recently and inspected various ongoing works being executed at an estimate of Rs. 230 crore. Work on a slew of programmes commenced last year and so far Rs. 185.50 crore had been spent, he said.
The most important and child-friendly endeavour is setting up an interpretation centre at Thenpuranadu, known as Top Sengattupatti, atop the hills under the Tamil Nadu Bio-diversity and Greenery Project. The centre provides a visual and aural treat for tourists.
Thenpuranadu, being in the centre of the hills, has been chosen for accommodating tourists. Four tree top houses each of 400 sq. ft. area each and a “mushroom” tree-top house with a larger area of about 650 square feet are being constructed. A children’s park and a medicinal park are the other major development works being executed at Thenpuranadu. A dormitory for men and women, children’s park, and medicinal park are other facilities at this place.
Watch towers
A new passage towards waterfalls at a couple of places – Koraiyaru falls and Periyappakalam falls is another major tourism infrastructure. About 72 steps have been set up for providing access to the Koraiyaru falls. With a view to sensitise the visitors to the heritage and culture of Tamils, a few entertainment-based infrastructure such as bullock cart and thatched huts have been set up. A couple of watch towers have been set up at Top Sengattupatti and at Murugan Kovil at Keezhakarai. The height of the watchtower is 120 feet.
“The objective of the eco-tourism is to improve socio-economic status of tribal people,” said N. Satish, District Forest Officer.
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 for providing basic amenities and other facilities by the committees which comprises local villagers and forest officials as office-bearers.
The programme aims at creating awareness among the visiting tourists about the importance of conservation of forests in Pachamalai hills which forms part of Eastern Ghats and located at a height of about 800 feet above sea level.
Rs. 185.50 crore has been spent on a slew of programmes
Four tree top houses, children’s park and a herbal garden getting ready
