The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Efforts on to make Kodaikanal a major cut flower producing centre

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Monday, Jul 06, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Efforts on to make Kodaikanal a major cut flower producing centre

Staff Reporter

Bankers asked to extend all possible assistance to floriculturists

KODAIKANAL: Floriculture, particularly cut-flower production, will be taken up on the hill station and the lake will be desilted and beautified to attract more tourists, according to Collector M. Vallalar.

He was inspecting various cut flower farms here on Sunday. A two-day seminar on floriculture will be convened shortly to enable cut-flower growers on the hill station to meet buyers as well as technical experts and discuss ways and means to market their produce and explore export opportunities.

Exporters, buyers, bankers, cultivators and horticulture officials will be invited to take part in the seminar. Time, date and venue will be announced shortly. Potential for floriculture was very high in Kodaikanal. Reacting to an appeal made by cut flower growers association, Mr. Vallalar advised the bankers to extend all possible assistance to floriculturists. District administration will take efforts to make Kodaikanal a major cut flower producing centre in the State on a par with Hosur.

Briefing developmental activities to be taken up on the hill as part of tourism promotion, he said all development will be environment-friendly.

To begin with, the hill station will become a plastic-free zone. We have plans to seize plastic items at toll gate near Silver Cascade. All vehicles coming to hill station will be thoroughly scanned at the toll gate. Kodaikanal Municipality should pass a resolution banning plastics on the hill. The Collector stated that the lake which was brought under control of Kodaikanal Municipality recently would be renovated.

Flower galleries would be created around the lake. Boating would also be streamlined. A special committee comprising Collector, Municipal Chairman and councillors would prepare guidelines for seizure of plastics and punishments to violations.

Source of drainage canals that drained sewage water into the lake would be unearthed and action would be initiated against violators. New flowers would be introduced in Bryant Park, he added.

New parking lot would be created to ease traffic congestion in the town during summer season.

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