The Hindu : Front Page : Kodanad point waiting to be fully discovered

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Friday, Oct 26, 2007
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Kodanad point waiting to be fully discovered

D. Radhakrishnan

— Photo: D. Radhakrishnan

Treat to the eyes: A view from Kodanad near Kotagiri.

Udhagamandalam: Is enough being done to exploit fully the potential of the Kodanad viewing point in Kotagiri taluk as a tourist attraction? This question is doing the rounds among various sections at Kotagiri. Pointing out that it was one of the most enchanting spots in the the Nilgiris, many residents of Kotagiri, those connected with the hospitality and travel industry in particular, say that though it had a great deal to offer, the flow of visitors was not picking up.

On the one hand, very few are aware of the existence of the scenic spot. Then, Kodanad’s has a reputation as a political battlefield in view of a controversial road passing through a tea estate associated with former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

One resident expressed the hope that such factors would not undermine the importance of Kodanad as a tourist spot. He recalled that in August 1935, Lord Erskine, the Governor of the Madras Presidency, had described Kotagiri as ‘a princess among hill stations’ during a civic reception accorded to him by the Kotagiri Panchayat Board. Since then the ‘princess,’ situated hardly 30 km from the queen (Ooty), has been struggling to make it on its own as a vacation destination. The need to boost the popularity of Kotagiri, the oldest and third largest hill station in the Nilgiris, as a tourist resort was being underscored by all sections now in view of the fact that economy of the region has been severely hit by the prolonged crisis in the tea industry.

Located about 18 km from Kotagiri on the easternmost ridge of the Blue Mountains, the Kodanad point commands a panoramic view of the plains and the eastern slopes of the Nilgiris. It provides a breathtaking view of the paddy fields in Thengumarahaada. You can also see the meandering river Moyar and its confluence with the Bhavani.

On a clear day one finds it difficult to turn one’s back on the visual treat. A plan announced by the Tourism Department some time ago to expose to the tourists interesting features of the Nilgiris like the Kodanad point is yet to take off. If the plan implemented, congestion in the towns would be reduced and visitors would be tempted to extend their stay in the Nilgiris.

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