A picturesque hill that turned barren in the last two decades owing to massive deforestation is all likely to become another major tourism attraction in the eastern border areas of Palakkad.
Mottamala, located close to the Malampuzha dam and garden, provides enchanting aerial views of not just the reservoir and surrounding forests but also Palakkad town and the vast expanse of greenery around it.
Tourism experts, dam authorities, and forest officials have started unofficial consultations to prepare a master plan to develop Mottamala as an added attraction to the Malampuzha tourist circuit. Apart from having a ropeway to the hilltop from the Governor’s seat at the Malampuzha dam, eco-friendly basic facilities including drinking water and green shades would attract visitors to the place.
A massive afforestation drive forms part of the draft proposal.
According to G. Jyothish of the Malampuzha Documentation Team, engaged in making a documentary film on the 60 years of achievements of the dam as a tourism spot and drinking water source, Mottamala development would help regain the lost glory of Malampuzha as a major tourism attraction.
The hill provides scope for adventure tourism including paragliding and trekking, sources said.
“The Malampuzha dam and adjoining places such as Akamalavaram and Kava possess enormous tourism possibilities.
Mottamala can bring about a rare glimpse of the matchless beauty of this Western Ghat stretch.
The cool breeze on top of the hill will inspire visitors,” said G. Prasad of the Dam Sree Research Club.
According to Mr. Jyothish, the development of facilities are visualised in a way as not to cause any damage to the environmental balance of the region.
Afforestation and ecotourism will be the major thrusts of the possible initiatives.
