The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : High-altitude training centre planned

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Monday, Sep 29, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

High-altitude training centre planned

Staff Reporter

11 acres of land identified at Nilavoor, says Minister

— Photo: D. Gopalakrishnan

ENCOURAGING SPORTS: Environment Minister T.P.M. Mohideen Khan speaking at the national integration camp in Yelagiri Hills on Friday.

TIRUPATTUR: The State government will set up a high-altitude training centre at Yelagiri Hills, for which 11 acres of land has been identified next to a fruit farm at Nilavoor, T.P.M. Mohiden Khan, Minister for Environment and Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department, has said.

He was participating in the inaugural function of ‘National integration camp and multi cultural activities’ organised by the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department, here on Friday.

More centres

Mr. Khan said the centre would be set up by the end of the Eleventh Five Year Plan. Such training centres would also be set up at Javadhi Hills, Kodaikanal, Udhagamandalam, Pachai Malai and Kolli Malai. They would train people in mountain climbing and trekking.

Training in sports such as hockey and football would also be given.

Mr. Khan said the Nilavoor centre would help to increase tourist arrival at the hills. The camp, which saw participants from seven States including Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and Manipur, would be held for seven days.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had organised such camps in 23 States, he said.

Cultural exchange

Vellore Collector Dharmendra Pratap Yadav said that there were participants from northeast, central India and South India. The camp facilitated cultural exchange. People of other States could learn a lot from Tamil Nadu. The State had a good social security system, which was not found in several other States, Mr. Yadav said.

Farmers in Tamil Nadu were raising crops against challenges such as poor soil fertility and water scarcity. Literacy rate was high in Tamil Nadu when compared to the northern States. Added to this, the State also had good Public Distribution System and Health Systems. Bus services were available even to remote areas.

Tirupattur Sub-Division Sub Collector Hanish Chaabra said the camp was an opportunity to create awareness of various cultures among people.

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