The Hindu : Front Page : Kovai Coutrallam to get facelift

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Thursday, Feb 21, 2008
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Kovai Coutrallam to get facelift

V.S. Palaniappan

Coimbatore: The Forest Department is making improvements to facilities at Kovai Coutrallam in the foothills of Siruvani to promote regulated and restricted eco-tourism. District Forest Officer I. Anwardeen told The Hindu that after a detailed study District Collector Neeraj Mittal and Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore, R. Kannan had mooted proposals to give a facelift to Kovai Coutrallam.

This is a sequel to the successful efforts to promote eco-tourism at Mulli near Karamadai which fetched for tribals Rs. 4.5 lakh from over 1,800 tourists through week-end tourism. Rs. 116.25 lakh will be spent to create facilities and amenities at Kovai Coutrallam.

There are major plans afoot for the tourist spot. Authorities are planning to use the facilities to help educate tourists on the rich flora and fauna and behavioural aspects of wildlife, besides the importance of ecology and conservation — beyond mere fun and frolic. An “interpretation centre” with a light-and-music show is on the cards to educate tourists on the importance of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, the elephant reserve and the eco-system. A children’s park with fixtures made of eco-friendly materials and devoid of plastics, will be set up. It will be maintained by Village Forest Committees.

Though 10,000 to 15,000 people visit the spot every year, this has not benefited the tribal population in Chadivayal, Singapathy, Sarcarborathy, Jahirborathy and Vellpathy. Trekking will be promoted on the Chinnar-Kalkothy/Kovai Coutrallam and Vellapthy trails and tribals will be employed as guards and guides. An elevated walkway is being erected at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh for tourists, to enable them to have a feel of the canopy.

A facility to promote plant-based medicines at a cost of Rs. 2 lakh is on the cards. There are plans to erect watch towers on the fringes of the forest. The authorities hope to complete the projects in three months.

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