The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Aquarium adds charm to Courtallam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Aquarium adds charm to Courtallam

Staff Reporter

WOOING TOURISTS: The newly-built aquarium at Courtallam. — Photo: A. Shaikmohideen

TIRUNELVELI: Tourists converging on Courtallam from all over south India to enjoy the waterfalls cascading from the Western Ghatsin the salubrious climate between June and September will have one more attraction, an aquarium, this year at the "Spa of the South."

When former Collector Sunil Paliwal, a passionate lover of Courtallam, added more colour to the `poor man's Ooty,' by establishing new parks and renovating the existing ones with several facilities, it drew tourists in droves.

That was when the then Assistant Director, special panchayat, E. Murugan, decided to establish an aquarium using glass tanks near the main falls. He sought the help of scientists of the Fisheries College and Research Institute (FCRI), Tuticorin, for establishing the aquarium and maintaining it.

Soon, the special panchayat, through the Courtallam special panchayat, started the construction. But the Rs. 7-lakh project could not be completed last year before the onset of the season. It will be inaugurated this year. "Construction of the aquarium is almost complete. Scientists from the FCRI are expected to reach Courtallam with the marine creatures and fish anytime now. The aquarium is expected to be ready for inauguration after June 17," Assistant Director, special panchayats, Vijaykumar, said.

A nominal entrance fee would be collected from the visitors.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail