The Hindu : Front Page : Pykara Lake a hit with tourists

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 03, 2007
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Pykara Lake a hit with tourists

D. Radhakrishnan

NEW ATTRACTION: A car boat introduced recently at Pykara Lake.

Udhagamandalam: Located amid sylvan surroundings about 22 km from here, Pykara Lake has over the years become very popular among tourists. The water spread extending over several kilometres had been converted into a boating facility about 13 years ago to relieve congestion at Ooty Lake.

With the number of visitors steadily increasing, Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), which runs a boat house at Pykara, has drawn up a plan to improve the facilities there. It has introduced two car boats recently.

Pointing out that these boats have become a major hit among the visitors a TTDC official said they could accommodate 10 persons each. Since they were all-weather boats a sum of Rs. 500 was being collected for a 20-minute ride. On an average about 2,000 tourists are visiting Pykara Lake every day.

However, many in the hospitality and travel trade pointed out that only a small percentage of its vast potential has been exploited till now.

Stating that it was one of the most scenic spots in the district, the Secretary, Nilgiri Hotels and Restaurants Association (NHRA) N. Chandrashekar told The Hindu that the deplorable condition of the roads leading to the spot from Ooty and Gudalur was a major drawback.

Consequently the image of Pykara Lake carried back by the tourists was not favourable. If the roads were improved the flow of visitors to Pykara would increase significantly.

The President, Citizens Forum of Ootacamund, S. Motilal Kataria said with some effort Pykara Lake could be developed into one of the most beautiful tourist spots in South India.

District Collector Santosh K.Misra said in view of its growing popularity it had been decided to conduct the summer regatta for the first time there on May 23.

Meanwhile, some of the local environmentalists said in promoting Pykara the district administration, the TTDC and the forest department should join hands.

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