PATHANAMTHITTA: The Forest Department will open an Interpretation Centre in Pampa on the foothills of Sabarimala in mid-November.

Talking to The Hindu on Tuesday, Conservator of Forests V.S. Varghese said that the centre was constructed at a cost of Rs.20 lakh.

According to Mr. Varghese, the Periyar Foundation would run the centre aimed at providing nature education to the pilgrims visiting Sabarimala, thereby spreading the message of forest conservation among them.

The centre was designed by Eugene Pandala of the TKM College of Engineering in Kollam.

The landscaping of the centre, set up atop a hill near the KSRTC bus station at Pampa, was done by KITCO, Mr. Varghese said.

Museum on flora

A museum on the flora and fauna in the sacred grove of Sabarimala situated in the Periyar Tiger Reserve is and added attraction of the centre. The museum would also educate the visitors on the importance of forest conservation with the help of photographs, video clippings, posters, etc, Mr. Varghese said.

The project is part of the Forest Department's campaign for environmental awareness and forest conservation and its commissioning was planned as part of the 50th anniversary of the formation of Kerala, Mr. Varghese said.

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