104 CHAPTER IV ECO-TOURISM IN TAMILNADU – A BRIEF DISCUSSION 4.1 Introduction The State of Tamil Nadu, situated in the southern part of the Indian Peninsula has over 20 centuries of cultural heritage and historic significance. The foremost of attractions in the state are its impressive temples, which are true edifices of a great and ancient culture vibrant and lively even today. Next only to the pilgrimage and heritage locations in Tamil Nadu comes the scenic beauty of nature in and around the state in the form of forests, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations and the long bio-diverse coastline. These locations provide immense opportunities for sightseeing, pleasure and leisure, to the visitors of various categories including adventure tourists. The preparation of a perspective tourism plan for the state of Tamil Nadu, assigned by the Department of Tourism, Government of India, has been to identify development aspects of the tourism industry in the state for a long term perspective and produce a meaningful plan report covering all facets of the state tourism so that later on a perspective tourism plan at the country level can be prepared. There is a host of projects that have been identified at various destinations – already popular destinations as well as the potential ones across the state, so as to offer the tourists more facilities and support their arrival and stay in a much better way. The sheer diversity of landscape found in Tamil Nadu, and its range of animal and plant life, makes it a favorable destination for incentive groups wishing to experience something of the State's natural wealth. Thus, Tamilnadu is selected as the study area. There are several tourist destinations that attract eco-tourism in Tamilnadu namely Ooty, Yercadu, Yelagiri, Kodaikanal, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Velliangiri Hills. Out of the seven hilly regions three has been selected for the study purpose,that is Ooty, Yercadu and
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104
CHAPTER IV
ECO-TOURISM IN TAMILNADU – A BRIEF DISCUSSION
4.1 Introduction
The State of Tamil Nadu, situated in the southern part of the Indian
Peninsula has over 20 centuries of cultural heritage and historic significance.
The foremost of attractions in the state are its impressive temples, which are
true edifices of a great and ancient culture vibrant and lively even today. Next
only to the pilgrimage and heritage locations in Tamil Nadu comes the scenic
beauty of nature in and around the state in the form of forests, wildlife
sanctuaries, hill stations and the long bio-diverse coastline. These locations
provide immense opportunities for sightseeing, pleasure and leisure, to the
visitors of various categories including adventure tourists.
The preparation of a perspective tourism plan for the state of Tamil
Nadu, assigned by the Department of Tourism, Government of India, has been
to identify development aspects of the tourism industry in the state for a long
term perspective and produce a meaningful plan report covering all facets of
the state tourism so that later on a perspective tourism plan at the country level
can be prepared. There is a host of projects that have been identified at various
destinations – already popular destinations as well as the potential ones across
the state, so as to offer the tourists more facilities and support their arrival and
stay in a much better way.
The sheer diversity of landscape found in Tamil Nadu, and its range of
animal and plant life, makes it a favorable destination for incentive groups
wishing to experience something of the State's natural wealth. Thus,
Tamilnadu is selected as the study area. There are several tourist destinations
that attract eco-tourism in Tamilnadu namely Ooty, Yercadu, Yelagiri,
Kodaikanal, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Velliangiri Hills. Out of the seven hilly
regions three has been selected for the study purpose,that is Ooty, Yercadu and
104
Kodaikanal.
I. Ooty
The "Queen of hill station"is the capital of Nilgiri district. It is one of
the best tourist resorts. Nilgiris is called as"Blue Mountains".The name Nila,
we know to have been used over 800 years ago since,the King of the Hoysalas
Vishnu Vardhana, who ruled from 1104 to 1141 A.D. seized the Nilgiris
Plateau. His general Ponisia recorded this fact in 1117 A.D. with mention of
Todas. The name Nilgiri was due to the blue haze which envelopes the range
with most distant hills of considerable size.
EXHIBIT: 4.1GEOGRAPHICAL MAP OF OOTY
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TheNilgiri territory came into possession of East India Company as part
at the ceded lands, held by Tipu Sultan, by the treaty of Srirangapatnam in
1799. Rev. JacomeForico, a priest was the first European who visited Nilgiris
in 1603 and released his notes about the place and people of Nilgiris. In 1812
surveyor William Keys and Macmohan visited the top of the plateau. In 1818,
Wish and Kindersley, Assistant and Second Assistant to Collector of
Coimbatore visited this spot and submitted their experience report to the
Collector of Coimbatore Mr. John Sullivan. Collector Mr.John Sullivan with
his party proceeded to Nilgiri Mountain and made camp at Dimbhatti, just
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north of Kotagiri in 1819 in January. Again in May 1819 he came to the Hill of
Ooty and began the construction of his bungalow at Dimbhatti (near Kotagiri),
The first European dwelling on the hills. Then the Collector John Sullivan laid
path from Sirumugai (near-Mettupalayam) to Dimbhatti in 1829 and the work
was completed in May 1823. The Best route up to Coonoor was laid in
1830-32. Ootacamund remained still undiscovered.
The first mention of the place occurs in a letter of March 1821 to the
Madras Gazette by an unknown correspondent as "WOTOKYMUND".The
first house was built at Ootacamund was undoubtedly the 'StoneHouse' by
John Sullivan in April 1822. John Sullivan already started flower and kitchen
garden at his Dimbhatti bungalow (Kotagiri). In 1821-22 Captain B.S. Ward
surveyed and mapped the hills. Mr Ward said in his writing that travellers
temporary bungalows were put up at Kodapamund,Nanjanna,Killur and
Yellanhali and European vegetables had been tried including strawberries and
apple. In 1827 Sullivan sums up the progress of Ooty including laiding of
OotyLake. 17 European houses had been built and five more at Kotagiri. Then
later on by several Englishmen Ooty,Coonoor and Kotagiri were developed.
After 1947 the free Indian people administrators made all development works
of hill station and made popular health and hill tourism resort.1
TABLE: 4.1CLIMATE DATA FOR UDAGAMANDALAM
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
As of 2001 India census, Udhagamandalam had a population of 93,921.
Males constitute 50 per cent of the population and females 50 per cent.
Udhagamandalam has an average literacy rate of 80 per cent, higher than the
national average of 59.5 per cent: male literacy is 84 per cent and female
literacy is 75 per cent. In Udhagamandalam, 9 per cent of the population is
under 6 years of age. Tamil is the lingua franca of Udhagamandalam.
Languages native to the Nilgiris like Badaga and Paniya are also spoken by
their respective tribes. Due to its proximity to the neighbouring states and it
being a popular tourist spot, English, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam are also
spoken and understood to an extent.2
b. Location
The beautiful hill station of Ooty is located in the Nilgiri district of
Tamil Nadu. The most fascinating aspect of Ooty location is that the hill town
is surrounded by four magnificent hills belonging to the Nilgiri range. The
latitudinal position of Ooty is 11 degrees and 24 minutes north and the
longitudinal position of this hill station is 76 degrees and 42 minutes east. Ooty
is situated about 2213 meters above sea level. The four beautiful ranges amidst
which the hill resort of Ooty stands are Snowdon, Elk Hill, Doddabetta and
Club Hill. This picturesque location of Ooty attracts many tourists to this place.
It is situated in a place where the Eastern Ghats meet the Western Ghats.
The nearest airport to Ooty is the one located in Coimbatore. It is about
89 kilometers away from this hill station. This air junction is connected to
important cities such as Calicut, Mumbai, Madurai and Chennai by Indian
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Airlines flights. The hill station of Ooty is connected by narrow guage trains to
Mettupalayam. It is in turn connected to all the major cities of India through
Coimbatore and Chennai.The hill station of Ooty is well connected to other
important places by a good network of roads. It is situated at a distance of 178
kilometers from Calicut and 160 kilometers from Mysore. The strategic Ooty
location near the important city of Coimbatore has made the hill station easily
accessible and that facilitates tourism.3
c. Tourist Attractions
Tourism in Tamil Nadu hasassumed the role of major economic activity
having direct and/ or indirectcorrelation with other sectors. Some of the major
destinations found at Ooty are:
i. Ooty Toy Train:
The Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu were practically inaccessible to the
common traveller until the advent of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway or NMR.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway connects the hill town of Ooty with the town of
Mettupalayam which is located just at the foot hills. Using the Abt system, the
Nilgiri Mountain Railway is the only rack Railway in the whole of India.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway covers a total distance of about 46
kilometers to Udhagamandalam and takes an approximate time of four and half
hours to do the same. There are five stations at which the Nilgiri Mountain
Railway stops between Mettupalayam and Coonoor, these are, Hill Grove,
Runnymede, Kateri, Kallar, and Adderley. From Coonoor to Ooty the
NilgiriMountain Railway used to stop at five other stations, Aruvankadul,
Ketti, Wellington, Lovedale and Fren Hill, but in the recent past the last one
has been closed down.
The meter gauge Nilgiri Mountain Railway have tracks which are made
of 50 lb rails. On the path of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway there are a total of
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250 bridges. While 32 of them are important and major bridges and 15 are
small over the road bridges. Between Kallar and Ooty the Nilgiri Mountain
Railways passes through 16 tunnels and from Mettupalayam to
Udagamandalam, the lapse is dotted with stone ballast and the cushion which
vary from 75 mm to 150 mm. A journey on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway
cruising through the natural beauty of the Nilgiri Mountains, the virgin forests
and the misty mountains seems to welcome the travellers to the land of eternal
beauty.4
ii. Dodabetta Peak
The Doddabetta Peak is said to be one of the highest peak in South
India and famous tourist place in India. Ooty is undisputedly one of the best
hill stations of South India and anyone who visits it is so completely charmed
by its beauty that he cherishes the desire to visit it over and over again.
The height of the Dodabetta Peak is 2,623 meters making it the highest
point of the district. It is located at a distance of about 10 km from the main
town and offers an unbelievably beautiful view of the surrounding topography.
One is sure to be impressed by the fascinating views. The lofty hills of the
Nilgiri range, the lovely green carpeted valleys are simply a treat to the eye. In
fact it is even believed that if the weather does not betray, chances are there for
getting a view of extreme far off areas. On clear days the distant plains of
Coimbatore and the flat highlands of Mysore can also be sighted. However, it
cannot be denied that such clear days rarely come and it is generally misty. But
nonetheless the view that the Dodabetta Peak ordinarily commands is no less
overwhelming.There is a telescope house that is run by the Tamil Nadu
Tourism Development Corporation in the Dodabetta Peak to enable the tourist
to get a better view. Any visitor is sure will be impressed after a visit to this
highest peak of the Nilgiris.5
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iii. Botanical Garden
Spread over a total area of 55 acre, the Botanical Garden in Ooty was
laid out by the Marquis of Tweedale long back in the year 1847. Ever since
then the Ooty Botanical garden has been well maintained and today it is the
responsibility of the Horticulture Department of the Tamil Nadu Government.
The Botanical garden in Ooty is located within the city limits of Ooty and is a
piece of treasure in the lap of the mountains. Visited by tourists all around the
year, the Ooty Botanical Garden is a major tourist spot in the town.
The Botanical garden in Ooty receives a total rainfall of around 140 cm
and the temperature rises to a maximum of 28 degree centigrade. The winters
are bitterly cold and the temperature often falls below 0 degree centigrade. The
Botanical Garden of Ooty has plants from all over the world and has been
decorated very aesthetically. The most attractive parts of the garden are the
Lilly pond with colorful flowers and the Italian garden. A home to several rare
species, the Ooty Botanical garden is a museum of plants and animals. The
paper bark tree, the monkey puzzle tree, ferns, orchids and various other plants
are spread about in myriad hues. An unique element in the Ooty Botanical
garden is a tree trunk which is now a fossil. This tree trunk is about 20 million
years old and is displayed at the Ooty Botanical garden for the tourists.
Every year in the month of May, a "Summer festival" is celebrated in
the Ooty Botanical Garden. The main attraction of this festival is the flower
show and the display of the items of the Toda, a native tribe.6
iv. Ooty Lake
The Ooty Lake is one of the many tourist attractions of the magical hill
station of Ooty in Tamil Nadu. The Ooty Lake enhances the beauty of the land
decorated with blue hills, long stretches of green meadows, picturesque tea
gardens and pleasing climate. The Ooty Lake in the Nilgiri Hills has a length
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of more than two Kilometers and roughly forms a 'L' shape. The crystal clear
Ooty Lake is the venue for various leisure activities like angling and boating.
The boat house is the main center of entertainment in Ooty. Just beside the
boat house, the children's park is present with the toy-train, which is equally
favourite with the kids and the adults. One can also indulge in horse riding on
the banks of the lake. The artificial Ooty Lake is the master mind of the
founder of the hill station - John Sullivan. He built the Ooty Lake in 1825. The
streams coming down the hills were trapped by a temporary dam and the lake
was formed with the accumulated water. Boating in the Ooty Lake is real fun
with the availability of all types of boats like paddle boats, Shikaras, rowing
boats, canoes etc. The dawn to dusk boating service keeps the visitors, tourists
and revelers entertained. The boat races during the summers are great crowd
pullers. The Ooty Lake is a very favourite site for campers and picnickers.
Watching the 'sun go down' from the banks of the lake is a never forgetting
experience.7
v. Rose Garden
The beautiful Rose Garden adds to the charm of the lovely land of Ooty.
The Centenary Rose Park was declared as the `Garden of Excellence' by the
World Federation of Rose Societies at the World Convention of Rose Societies
held at Osaka in Japan in the year 2006. The credit of this recognition goes to
the Horticulture Department and the members of the Nilgiris Rose Society
(NRS). The garden was inspected in 2005 by a team of members from the
World Federation of Rose Societies and submitted its report to the Federation.
The Rose Garden was established in the year 1995. The Garden was
founded to celebrate the 100th Annual Flower Show (AFC) at the Government
Botanical Garden in Ooty. When the garden was initially laid there were 1919
varieties of rose, including floribundas, miniatures, hybrid teas, polyanthas and
creepers. New varieties are being included in the collection every year.
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Presently, the garden is said to have nearly 3000 varieties and very soon the
5000 mark will be crossed. The Centenary Rose Park in Ooty is spread over a
huge area of more than four hectares of land in five terraces.
At present, the Rose Garden has the distinction of being the only garden
in the country with the largest collection of roses. People who are passionate
about flowers and roses can come here to enjoy the beauty of a huge variety of
roses such as Hybrid Tea Roses, Ramblers, miniature roses, Floribundas and
many more. Some of the main attractions of the garden are roses of strange
colors like black and green.8
vi. Wenlock Downs and Sixthmile
A vast expanse of undulating landscape offering the Gymkhana Club, the
Government Sheep Farm and the Hindustan Photo Films Company besides
pleasure of a long stroll on quiet roads. A popular film shooting area situated in
this hilly grassy area. These sprawling 20,000 acres were once the
mise-en-scene for the famous Udhagamandalam Hunt. Now, The Gymkhana
Club, the Hindustan Photo Films factory, the Government Sheep Farm and the
Golf Course, are all part of Wenlock Downs. A vast expanse of undulating
landscape as far as the eye can see the Gymkhana Club, the Government Sheep
Farm and the Hindustan Photo Films factory are all located here. This stretch
of about 20,000 acres of grassland with Sholas or 'gallery forest' on the
Gudalur road is about 8 km. from the station. It is the most popular picnic spot
of Ooty. The undulating landscape is blessed with splendid scenic beauty and
rich vegetation.9
vii. Tea Gardens
There are large number of tea bushes that dot through the hill sides of
Coonoor and Ooty. January-February is the time for the tea and tourism
festival, when Coonoor is visited by connoisseurs and buyers the world over. 10
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viii. Mudumalai and Bandipur National Park
Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary which houses thousands of varieties of
flora and fauna in the beautiful forests and is a truly mesmerizing experience in
itself. A great vacation spot, away from the pressures of city life, Bandipur
wildlife sanctuary is a wonderful place to unwind with nature. Located in the
southern part of the beautiful state of Karnataka, Bandipur is one of the oldest
wildlife sanctuaries in India. The Bandipur National Park was made by the
Maharaja of Mysore in the year 1931 and was then spread over an area of 90
sqkms. However, it was later increased to 800 sqkms and renamed the
Venugopala Wildlife Park after the residing deity of the shrine located here at
GopalswamyBetta. The name Bandipur National Park was given in the year
1973 when the Government took over the park under the Project Tiger Scheme
and it was then made into a Tiger Reserve.
Bandipur Wildlife sanctuary forms the connecting link between the
Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary in Tamilnadu and the Wayanad wildlife
sanctuary in Kerala and thus, is a long beautiful stretch. There are three
beautiful rivers that flow through the Bandipur sanctuary namely the
MoyarRiver, the KabiniRiver and the Nagurriver. The weather is ideally suited
for a great vacation amidst nature. Bandipur is a lovely destination that can be
visited all year round. The summer months from March to May would be a
great time to watch the animals at the watering holes. However, the period
between June to October (during the monsoons) is when Bandipur comes alive
with greenery all over.Entry to the park is charged and the rates vary for Indian
and foreign nationals. Vehicles on hire, cameras and the spectacular elephant
safari are charged extra. There are a number of activities like boating, fishing,
bird watching and trekking. For photographers and nature lovers, Bandipur is
truly heaven on Earth. Being located so close to the happening city of
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Bangalore makes the Bandipur National Park a much sought after weekend
getaway from Bangalore.11
ix. Pykara River
Pykara is a river located 19 km from Ooty. The Pykara is the largest
river in the District. It is considered very sacred by the Todas. The Pykarariver
rises at Mukurthi peak. It passes through hilly tract, generally keeping to North
and turns to West after reaching the Plateau's edge. The river has a dam and
power plant. The river flows through a series of cascades; and the last two falls
of 55 meters and 61 meters are known as Pykara falls. The falls are
approximately 6 km from the bridge on the main road. There is a forest rest
House at Pykara. A boat house by the Pykara falls and Dam are added
attractions to the tourists.Pykara boasts of well protected fenced Sholas, Toda
settlements, undistributed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat.
The Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists.12
x. Pykara Dam and Power StationThe dam is situated close to the falls and comprises a power station.
One of the oldest plants[weasel words] in south India, the Pykara station still
functions, generating about 60 megawatts. The first unit of 6.65 MW was
commissioned in October 1932. C.P. RamaswamyAiyar followed up with the
British regime in 1920s and 1930s for implementation of the Pykara project. A
team of engineers led by H.G.Howard, a chief engineer in the then Electricity
department, had executed the project.
The Pykara station, declared as a heritage plant in September 1997,
triggered the establishment of more hydro stations in the state. Today, the
Niligiris district itself boasts of hydro stations having an aggregate installed
capacity of 837 MW. Five decades after establishment of the old plant, the
EBauthorities came up with a plan for the PUSHEP having three units of 50
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MW each. The construction of an underground powerhouse, 17 tunnels and
the hydraulic head of 1039 metres are the special features of the new plant.
According to the Electricity Board, such a hydraulic head is the highest in
Asia. The access point to the powerhouse is a 1.5-km-long tunnel. 12
xi. Pykara Boat House
A boat house by the Pykara falls and Dam are added attractions to the
tourists. The boat house with restaurant is maintained by Tamil Nadu Tourism
& Development Corporation. 12
EXHIBIT: 4.2SWOT ANALYSIS ON OOTY
Strength Weakness Pleasant weather Scenic beauty of south India Well known tourist hill station Attract tourist all through the year Toy train an heritage train of south
India Queen of hill stations Ban on usage of plastic bags
Lack of adequateinfrastructural
support Overcrowding Lack of conservation support Non maintenance of tourist
spots Damaged roads
Opportunity Threat Green tourism and Tea tourism Eco tourism Golf tourism Ethnic tourism Border of two major states in India
Commercialization Competition Land slide Sewage water mixing with lake
water Unsubstantial tourism
arrangements The habitat of Kurinji flowers
are cleared by local people fordwelling and farming.
II. Kodaikanal
It is one of the most popular Hill Resorts in India. It is a charming hill
station, standing amidst sylvan beauty on the southern crest of the upper Palani
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Hills near Madurai in Tamil Nadu. With its rocks, woods, lovely lake and
bracing air, Kodaikanal is an ideal hill resort for the tourists. Kodaikanal is
situated at an altitude of about 2,133 m high and covers an area of 21.45 Sq
km. The hill town is renowned for its Educational Institutions of International
repute. The hill-plantain fruits and plums are known for their freshness and
taste. Berijamlake, one among the beautiful natural lakes of South India,
spreads over an area of 24 forested hectares.
EXHIBIT: 4.3GEOGRAPHICAL MAP OF KODAIKANAL
Kodaikanal, also called as the 'Switzerland of the East' or the 'Princess
of Hill Stations' is popularly referred by its short name 'Kodi'. The name
Kodaikanal means the "gift of the forest".
There is proof of settlement of prehistoric tribes at Kodaikanal by
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visible artifacts such as dolmens homes of great stone slabs. After the primitive
tribes of Paliyans and Pulyans in 14th century, villagers of Palani foot hills fled
into Kodai hills, to escape from the oppressive rule in the plains and also from
the invasion of Tippu Sultan.
The first European to visit Kodaikanal was Lt. B.S. Ward a surveyor in
the year 1821. His Head Quarters was Vellagavi village. There were many
American missions in South Tamil Nadu. The foreigners could not bear the
oppressive heat in Tamilnadu and they faced sickness from epidemic diseases
and consequential deaths. They wanted neat and healthy natural surroundings
near Madurai to rest and improve their health. They were happy to find from
the report of Lt. B.S. Ward about the hills with wonderful climate and easy
accessibility from Madurai and Periyakulam. Many English and American
missionary people visited Kodaikanal through various routes. Notable among
them are J C Wroughton -Sub Collector, C R Cotton Judge and Dr. Weight.
Dr.Fane built two houses in 1845 in the lake road. More houses were built by
British Government. The American Missionaries moved in and built a lot of
dwellings in the southern side which is still there and now called 'Sunny Side'
and 'Shelton'.
In the year 1860, the first church was built jointly by the Bishop.
American Madurai Mission built the union church in 1895. From year 1860,
there was all round improvement due to the visit of several dignitaries. Roman
Catholics came, purchased a bungalow for Jesuit fathers, as rest house which
is now called La Providence in upper shoal road. Governors of Madras Sir
Charles Travelyon and Lord Napier visited in the years 1860 and 1871. One
major JM Partridge of the army introduced Eucalyptus and wattle trees in the
year 1867. Bier Leverage, collector of Madurai lived in Pamhar house after his
retirement. Only through his tireless efforts and initiative the man-made
Kodaikanallake, the foremost attraction of the tourists was formed. He
arranged boat rides in the lake. He planned and executed several approach
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roads to Kodaikanal. He introduced several foreign trees and vegetables such
as Pine Forms and Pears. In the year 1872 Lt. Coaker cut a path along the ridge
of steep south eastern side which commends a magnificant view of the plains
below. The path was named after him as Coaker's Walk
i. Travel to Hills in the Past
In the very early days, most of the visitors to the hills came from
Madurai. They had to walk in the steep grueling way. The popular route was
from Periakulam to KistnammaNaik Tope by road through bullock carts &
Rom Tope through the hills. One has to climb 2000 metres height by foot
paths. This route was called Coolie GhatRoad.Those who were not able to
walk can hire dhoolies (a sort of palanquins) carried by hirers. Some went up
by riding ponies. There were many risks. Some dacoits from Kalla tribes came
but they soon vanished after seeing the high level of protection. Also there
were interruptions by appearance of wild beasts like panthers, elephants, and
bisons. Loud noises were made to chase them away.
In the year 1875 Southern Railways extended train route from Chennai
to Madurai and Tuticorin. Due to this facility many tourists from far off places
visited. They alight at Kodairoad Station and travel by bullock up to Tope and
then ascend the climbs.The government deputed Engineer Major Law to study
and submit a plan to build a moterable road to the hills. After a long delay, the
road was completed in 1914 and at last allowed for traffic in 1916. Public
buses began to ply in the road from 1916.13
ii. Climate Min Temperature: 100 C (Summer), 80 C (Winter)
Max Temperature: 200 C (Summer), 170 C (Winter)
The weather of Kodaikanal is pleasant throughout the year, but the best
time to visit Kodaikanal is from April to June and from September to October.
104
This is when the weather is at its best. The average temperature during these
months remains around 200 C to 100 C.The winter sets in mid-October. The
maximum temperature in winters is about 17 degree C and the minimum
temperature dips as low as 8 degree C. The months between October and
March are wet and chilly. These months are completely avoidable unless of
course, you want adventure. In the month of January ice formation is
witnessed by Kodaikanal and the minimum temperature plummets to freezing
point.
The summer season is the best to visit Kodaikanal. The average
temperature hovers around 180 C, which makes Kodaikanal a place to enjoy.
July witnesses the onset of monsoon that persists till August end. These
months are completely avoidable too, as the hills become extremely slippery
and inaccessible. Moreover, heavy rainfall can also restrict tourist activities.
September is a good month to visit Kodaikanal as the weather is quite pleasant.
14
TABLE: 4.2KODAIKANAL WEATHER
Season Months Peak Season April–JuneLow Season Feb-March; July–September
Second Season October–JanuarySource: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodaikanaliii. Location
The town of Kodaikanal sits on a plateau above the southern escarpment
of the upper Palani Hills at 2,133 metres (6,998 ft), between the Parappar and
Gundar Valleys. These hills form the eastward spur of the Western Ghats on
the Western side of South India. It has an irregular basin as its heartland, the
centre of which is now Kodaikanal Lake a 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) circumference
manmade lake.
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Meadows and grasslands cover the hillsides. Gigantic Eucalyptus trees and
shola forests flourish in the valleys. Mighty rocks and cascading streams.rise
up from the valleys. There are many high waterfalls and ubiquitous gardens
and flower beds in bloom.
North of the town, high hills that slope down into the villages of
Pallangi and Vilpatti stand guard. On the east the hill slopes less abruptly into
the lower Palnis. A precipitous escarpment facing the Cumbum Valley is on
the south. On the west is a plateau leading to Manjampatti Valley, Indira
Gandhi National Park, the Anamalai Hills and the main body of the Western
Ghats.15
iv. Tourist Attraction
Some of the renowned tourist attraction at Kodaikanal are:
i. Devil Kitchen
Devil’s Kitchen (Guna caves) is a very dangerous deep hidden ravine
that looks like small dark gutters but are actually a deep fall. It is called as
Guna caves as a Tamil movie Guna was shot here. The deep narrow ravines of
the caves are now closed to public due to the tragic deaths of twelve youths
there. These dangerous caves are highly protected now, and tourists can see
sections of the cave system from a far. Entrance of Devil’s Kitchen is now
protected.16
ii. Kodai Lake
Kodaikanal Lake is a magnificent man-made lake, which spreads out in a star
shape over sixty acres is a main attraction as it is set among the greenery,
wonderful landscape, and the central point of Kodai. The tree-fringed lake
greets everyone in the crisp early morning and is the cool heart of Kodaikanal.
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Boating facilities are available from two points, and the 5 Km long paved
circular road around it is very popular. The tourists can walk around the lake in
about 45 minutes at a brisk pace.
The lake in Kodaikanal is one of the famous tourist attractions. Its just 3
Km from the bus stand. It is situated 2285 m above the sea level and is noted
for its erstwhile clean water. The Golf Club is located just 5 Km from the
Kodaikanal Lake. Boating, Horse-riding, Cycling, Fishing (arranged by
Fisheries Department) all these around this lake make Kodaikanal a perfect
holiday resort. You can take a boat ride from the adjoining boat clubs, or just
walk around, ride on horses and cycles, or sit there on one of the cement
benches or on the grass, to admire the delightful sight and the wonderful
colours and textures of the landscape. Ponyrides by children and adults
walking around the lake are part of Kodaikanal Holiday. Today lakhs of
tourists walk around, sail on, ride on horses & cycles and admire the lake. It
was created in 1863, by Sir VereHentryLevinge (1885), a retired District
Collector of Madurai at that time, from what was once a marshland. He was
the man of resource and creative ideas for this lake. He reportedly spent his
own money and converted the marshy land, by damming and constructing a
strong bound across the valley where three streams flowed. He initially
brought boats from Tuticorin for use here. It is reported that the foreign
residents even used to swim in the lake in those days.
The maximum depth in the 1960s was about 11.5 m but it is now only
around 9 m due to siltation. Desiltation is done once in a while by Government
and NGO's. The average depth is now about 3.0 m. Boating and Angling
facilities are available at the Kodaikanal Lake. The Kodaikanal Boat Club
provides Rowing Boats and Pedalling boats for hourly hire and a public ferry..
The boat club here offers several pleasure and racing trips. Boat Race and
various competitions are held every year during the Summer Festival.
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Fishing/Angling can also be done obtaining permission from Inspector of
Fisheries. The lake receives its fresh water fed from rainfall in the
surrounding hills during North-East Monsoon months of October, November
and December and also from the numerous watersheds around it.17
iii. Berijam Lake
The Berijam Lake is one of the popular Kodaikanal Tourist
attractions,situated at a distance of 21 Kilometers from the heart of the city, the
Berijam Lake was brought in front of the public eye by the European settlers.
Originally a swamp, the area was cleared to discover the lake. Surrounded by
the lush green pine population, the Berijam Lake with its serene beauty has
caught the imagination of artists, nature lovers and tourists. The Berijam Lake
near Kodaikanal acts as the main source of water for Periyakulam Town, close
to Kodaikanal.
KodaikanalBerijam Lake is a place to enjoy with lot of activities.
Boating in the Berijam Lake is an unique experience. Sailing around the
crystalline water and watching the environs blessed with bluish green hills will
please anyone. The water of the lake is the home to numerous known and
unknown species of fish, making it a anglers heaven. The way to Berijam Lake
is an excellent trekking route. Walking down the slopes between the stretches
of gigantic trees, the hike to Berijam Lake is an excellent one. With its raw
natural beauty, the Berijam Lake has emerged as a popular tourist attraction in
Kodaikanal.18
iv. Silver Cascade Falls
The first tourist spot that comes on the Madurai - Kodaikanal road is the
Silver Cascade Falls which is sourced from the Kodai Lake’s excess water.
Numerous stalls of fruits and souvenirs are sold here. The waterfall falls from a
height of 180 feet through rocks. It is a popular picnic spot and known for its
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scenic beauty.19
v. Bear Shola Falls
An ideal picnic spot 1.6 km from bus stand and within 2 Kms off the lake,
where once bears came to drink water. Hence the name of the falls became
Bear Shola falls.. The approach is rugged hill path. The falls are at the best in
rainy season.20
vi. Thaliayar Falls
Thalaiyar Falls, also known as Rat Tail Falls. It is 975 feet (297 meters)
tall and is the highest waterfall in Tamil Nadu.On a clear day Rat Tail Falls is
visible from the Dum Dum viewpoint on the KodaiGhat Road,
3.6 kilometres(2.2 mi) away to the west. It appears across the valley as a long
thin white strip of cascading water on a background of black rock cliff face
that juts out of the foothills. The very edge at the top of the Falls has a concrete
wall on either side concentrating the flow of water to focus the falls into a
better rat tail shape. One can walk along the wall and get near the center of the
Falls.21
vii. Coaker’s walk
Endowed with an unparalleled and unmatched natural scenic beauty,
Coaker’s Walk offers the tourists with a wonderful opportunity to view the
exotic landscape of Kodaikanal. The picturesque sight of Coaker’s Walk casts
a magical spell on the visitors who are enthralled and enchanted with the
bewitching beauty of the place. An important place in the itinerary of
Kodaikanal tourist attractions, Coaker’s Walk has been named after Lt. Coaker
who had discovered the beautiful place way back in the year of 1872. Situated
on the southern slopes of the hill station of Kodaikanal, Coaker’s Walk is a
paradise for those who want to spend time in the midst of nature.
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Located at a short distance of 1 kilometer from the crystal clear lake of
Kodaikanal, Coaker’s Walk is known for its long winding paths, lush green
forests and colorful flowers that adorn the place. The tourists can enjoy the
natural splendor of Kodaikanal from the Coaker’s Walk. Far from the
maddening crowd of the cities, the serene and calm surrounding of Coaker’s
Walk fill the visitors with an intense sense of pleasure and satisfaction. The
best place to rejuvenate oneself with renewed energy and vigor, the enchanting
sight of Coaker’s Walk refreshes the mind and soul of the visitors with added
enthusiasm and exuberance.22
viii. Pillar Rocks
Three Boulders stand shoulder to shoulder vertically measuring to a
height of about 122 meters (400 feet), providing a beautiful view. It is 8 Kms
from the lake. It has a mini garden with lovely flowers. In the shadows of the
pillars are shady woods that invite picnickers. The chamber between the two
pillars is called Devil's kitchen.23
ix. Telescope Houses
A Telescope House has been placed on the northern tilt of the Coaker's
Walk which has been designed for the benefit of the sightseers. The
Kodaikanal Terrestrial Telescope is proficient in covering a extensive scene
including: Sothupparai Dam, Vaigai Dam, Periyakulam and Varaha river. A
telescopic sight of outlying valleys and villages, through the clear daylight,
offers a great experience to you. The telescope is quite powerful and well
placed and a nominal fee is collected for using it.24
x. Shenbaganur Museum
The Shenbaganur Museum has an impressive collection of stuffed-birds
and the butterflies. The Flora and Fauna Museum is maintained by the Sacred
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Heart College. A Theological Seminary was founded in 1895. It is devoted to
the archaeological remains and the flora and fauna of the hills. One of the best
Orchidoriums in the country with more than 300 species is also located here. It
is about 5.6 Kms from the lake. A Spanish Father Ugarthe, contributed his
major collections to the Museum. A wide ranging collection of birds classified
into ground birds, water birds, tree birds and large high flying birds such as
Black Eagle, Bengal Vulture, Honey Buzzard, Crested.25
xi. Bryant Park The park is situated in the heart of the town, on eastern side of the lake. It
is 0.3 km from Bus stand. The park was originally planned and formed by a
forest officer of Madurai Mr. H.D. Bryant in 1908 and named after him. The
beautifully maintained park extends over an area of 20.5 acres. From its olden
days there is an artificial pool. There are 325 species of trees and shrubs.
There is an Eucalyptus tree aged 150 years and a “BOTHI” tree which adds to
the significance of the park. Ornamental plants are cultivated in a nursery for
sale. A big section is allotted for nearly 740 varieties of roses.
The practical utility of this parks includes,every May a horticultural
show is conducted by the department of Horticulture. On that occasion
enormous vegetables and flowers from neighbouring villages compete for the
prizes, which draws big crowd. They exhibit flowers, vegetables, fruits and
other products.It serves as a practical centre for education on ornamental
Horticulture and as a demonstration centre. The various methods of
training,pruning, budding, grafting and potting seed collection, are taught to
the students of Horticulture as well as to the visitors.26
xii. Solar Physical Observatory
Founded in 1989 at the highest point in Kodai, at an altitude of 2343 m,
this observatory is popular with travellers who can observe the stars and
planets using the telescopes.27
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EXHIBIT: 4.4SWOT ANALYSIS ON KODAIKANAL
Strength Weakness Princess of Hill Stations /
Switzerland of the East Boat club Fishing and angling are allowed
when compared to other hillstations
Less crowded by tourist comparedto Ooty
Highest peak when compared toOoty
Can be reached only by road ways Narrow and steep roadways Tourist have to travel only on One
road and come back on the sameroad starting from palani.
Opportunity Threat Dark tourism (devil’s kitchen /
Guna cave) Eco Tourism
Unplanned and unsustainabletourism
deforestation of the hills, and thepollution by tourists
Commercialization Freshwater lake is under the threat
of getting polluted and itsbiodiversity endangered.
Unrestricted tourism activitieshave led to high use of plasticbottles, glass bottles, plastic bags,causing high levels of pollution
Competition
III. Yercadu
Stone-age implements have been found from the ancient shrine located
near Pagoda Point, which is about 5 km from the YercaudLake. Ancient
history is relatively unknown and never explored. The first human settlement
in the hills came from Kanchipuram, during the Telugu Kings capture the
Tamil Thondai country. Tamil refugees from the plains migrated to hills and
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settled here. Sir Thomas Muroe, erstwhile governor of Madras Presidency in
1842 found this place. David CockBurn, the Scottish collector of Salem
district, between 1820 & 1829, was called the 'Father of Yercaud' because he
helped in the development of the resources of the Shevaroy and for introducing
the cultivation of coffee, pears and apple. The first survey of the Shevaroy hills
was undertaken in 1827. Though the first European house was built in 1840.
The attention of planters on the Shevaroys has been confined solely to coffee
plantations. Tea plantaion has been introduced in 1840s by Dr.Wallich on the
property of G.F.Fischer. Trees of cinnamon have been introduced in Yercaud
by Mr.Richardson during the same period. The cool climate attracted Christian
missionaries, who established the Sacred Heart Convent for girls, the Nazareth
Girls' Hr. Sec. School for Girls, and the Montfort School for boys. Schools
such as the Holy Cross Novitiate House, started by the Brothers of Don Bosco,
followed these. Mr. G.F. Fisher a European of German origin purchased the
Salem Zamindar in 1836. He was the first and only European Zamindar in the
Presidency. The area of his zamin was 1,25,000 acres. 28
The majority of the local population consists of daily wage earners in
the coffee estates. 30% of the houses were built during the British Raj. The
British legacy is there to be seen and felt in a number of places. A number of
hotels built to International standards are well ensconced among trees. To
enjoy every bit of nature in this hill, the British paved roads and built dwelling
units. Yercaud is yet another example of how the British appreciated our
natural resources better than us. Yercaud is famous for coffee and pepper in
much the same way Ooty and Kodai are famous for tea. The English used
Yercaud as a summer retreat and their legacy is all over the place. The number
of places to be seen in Yercaud may not be many, but each one of them is
really worth the visit.29
EXHIBIT: 4.5GEOGRAPHICAL MAP OF YERCAUD
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TABLE: 4.3KODAIKANAL CLIMATE
Altitude 1500 m (approx.)Summer Temperature 300 C (maximum), 160 C (minimum)Winter Temperature 250 C (maximum), 130 C (minimum)Rainfall 1500 mm (minimum), 2000 mm (maximum)Best Time to Visit February to June and September to November
Yercaud enjoys a pleasant and healthy climate throughout the year. Due to
this, it is ideal for visits at any time of the year. The coffee bushes blossom in
April and offer a fabulous view. The monsoon season from June to August
sees heavy rainfall and the winter season from November to February is
usually cold and misty. The best time to visit Yercaud is from February to June
and September to November.
TABLE: 4.4CLIMATE DATA FOR YERCAUD
Month Ja Feb Ma Apr Ma Jun Jul Aug Sep Oc Nov De
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n r y t cRecordhigh °C(°F)
17(63)
19(66)
24(75
)
28(82)
30(86
)
31(88)
28(82)
26(79)
24(75
)
24(75)
19(66)
20(68)
Averagehigh °C(°F)
8(46)
9(48)
14(57
)
18(64)
22(72
)
23(73)
21(70)
19(66)
19(66
)
17(63)
14(57)
11(52)
Averagelow °C(°F)
2(36)
3(37)
7(45
)
11(52)
14(57
)
16(61)
16(61)
15(59)
14(57
)
11(52)
7(45)
4(39)
Recordlow °C(°F)
-9(16)
-8(18)
-6(21
)
-1(30)
4(39
)
8(46)
10(50)
11(52)
5(41
)
4(39)
0(32)
-6(21)
Precipitation mm(inches)
61(2.4)
69(2.72)
61(2.4)
53(2.09)
66(2.6)
175(6.89)
424(16.6
9)
434(17.0
9)
160(6.3)
33(1.3)
13(0.51
)
28(1.1)
Source :wunderground.com
i. Summer
The summer season in Yercaud is very pleasant. The temperature
generally varies between 160 C and 300 C.
ii. Monsoon
The monsoon season starts from June and ends in August and is marked
by heavy rains. The minimum rainfall recorded is 1500 mm, while the
maximum rainfall is around 2000mm in Yercaud.
iii. Winter
The winter season in Yercaud begins in November and ends in
February. During this time temperature usually varies between 130 C and 250
C. Winters in Yercaud are mild and cool. 30
iv. Location
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Yercaud lies at an altitude of 1,500 m above the sea level in the
Shervaoyan Hills. At a distance of 33 km from Salem, Yercaud is situated in
the state of Tamil Nadu. The range Yercaud situated is Archaeon plutonic
rocks of charnokite series, and the these have weathered into the rugged
masses of hills. There are three routes up to the hills, the Shevaroys range is
covered with green grasses, and has not any considerable growth of forests.
Bamboos are grown up to an altitude of 3,000 feet, and on the higher levels
some teak, blackwood and sandalwood are seen. There are about 9,000 acres
planted with coffee in the hills.31
v. Tourist Attractions in Yercaud
Some of the renowned tourist attraction at Yercadu are:
a. Lady’s Seat
Lady's seat is located 2 Km south west of Yercaud town and is a point
that offers spectacular sights of Yercaud. It has cluster of rocks loctaed
beautifully on the south west of the Yercaud hills. It overlooks the winding
ghat road. It has a telescope through which one can view the lower plains of
Yercaudhill.Themaganese deposits of the chalk Hills can be viewed cleary
through the telescope. Lady's seat offers breathtaking views of the Ghats,
especially at night.one can see the traffic that looks gracefully on the horizon
and the tourists making their way to Yercaud through the narrow winding.
Towards the extreme right in a distance one can see the Mettur Dam that
generates power out of the river Kaveri. The best time to spot the river is from
300 p.m. onwards when the sun rays reflect off the river waters.32
b. Kiliyur Water Falls
Kiliyur Falls is a waterfall in the Servarayan hill range in the Eastern Ghats,
Tamil nadu, India. The waters spilling over the Yercaud Lake fall 300 feet into
the Kiliyur Valley. The falls is located in a far away in jungle area and there is
no road. Only a sign indicating the walk is 2.5 km. from the road on a rough
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path. It is said to be a breathtaking sight once the falls is reached.33
c. Grange the Castle like building
The Castle like building was built by the then Collector of Salem,
Mr.M.D. Cockburn who first introduced Coffee from Arabia, Apples and other
fruits from South Africa between 1820 and 1829 AD. It is believed to be the
summer resort of Robert Clive. The British Big Wig of the East India
Company way back in the late 1800's. It is now a private house. It stands
amidst coffee and Orange plantations and Silver Oak Trees. If you thought
castles were found only in Europe, think again - The Grange in Yercaud
closely resembles a castle and is believed to be the summer resort of Robert
Clive in the late 19th Century. Fortification of this building was done during
the Sepoy Mutiny. Ramparts were built with Gun emplacements and 3 Canons
were mounted at vantage points.34
d. Pagoda Point
One of the important places is the Pagoda point. The Pagoda Point, is
so known because a number of pyramid like structures abound here. Pagoda
Point is also another viewpoint, which is worth visiting. Pagoda point or
Pyramid Point named after the ancient pyramidal cairns found here. Around
the ridges of the crest are four cairns stones resembling temple towers
(Pagodas) In the centre of the open space is a shrine dedicated to two anionic
stones held sacred by the local Malayalis.
This is a fantastic place with an equally great history to it - a
magnificent palace in the past and a massive temple at present. The place gets
its name because of its pagodas that are built with stone.
It lies on the eastern side of Yercaud hills. The name was derived from
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the many stone built pagodas made by the tribals. This place also has a huge
Rama temple. The best time to visit is during the night or early morning when
you get a view of Salem and the little village of Kakambadi. There are fabulous
cliffs on the opposite side. Sometimes called Gent's seat it has a better view
than the Ladies Seat but is very risky to reach and is a Government protected
area.35
e. Bear’s Cave
The Bear's cave is situated near the Norton Bungalow on the way to
Servarayan temple. Situated near the Yercaud's oldest bungalow, Norton
Bungalow, Bear's Cave is formed by two huge boulders and lies on the way to
Servarayan Temple. It is located inside a private coffee estate but occasionally,
a staying tourist is allowed inside the premises. The cave is about 7 feet below
the ground level and is said to extend beyond the Servarayan temple till Kaveri
in the state of Karnataka which is around 485 Km away. It is believed that the
cave was used as a hideout and an escape route by Tipu Sultan during the time
of War. If tourists wish, they can try to squeeze past the boulders into the cave
and explore it. Although one cannot go beyond few hundred meters as fallen
rocks block the path but its worth an experience.
Since this is a private property now, permission has to be obtained to
access the spot. The cave adjoining the European style Norton Bungalow, goes
deep into the hill. After the initial entry, one has to crawl on legs and hands to
go down. Today, the cave is covered over with vegetation and rocks. Temple
here is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. Its innermost shrine is cut
out of a solid rock.
Once upon the time, this was considered home to the bears. Today, it
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stands as an impressive landmark near the Norton Bungalow. The cave is now
part of a private property - however, tourists are allowed a visit. There is a
temple near this cave that is one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan and has its
central area carved out of a single rock.36
vi. The Servaroyan Temple
Servaroyan temple situated at the highest point in Shevaroy hills, the
Servaroyan temple is a beautifully carved cave temple. This temple is famous
for the festival, which is organized here by the local tribes in the month of
May. The festival sees a huge turnover of local people. This splendid temple
due to its remote location does not witness a huge number of tourist. So be the
one of the few privileged who have discovered the hidden aura of this wonder.
The Orchidarium at the beautifully maintained botanical gardens is on the way.
A Malayalis tribal temple dedicated to Lord Servarayan also known as
Ramaswamy. It is located in a narrow and dark cave on the tallest peak (5,342)
on the Servarayanmountain. The annual festival held in May is very popular
and attracts thousands of Malayalis pilgrims. The mouth of the cave is built up
like a Hindu shrine. The God Servarayan and Goddess Kaveri representing the
Servarai Hills and Kaveri River respectively are seated in the
temple.TheServaroyan temple is a modern cave temple located on the third
highest range in the area "The Servaroyan hill" and offers a bird's eye view of
the places around.37
vi. Yercaud Lake
The Yercaud Lake is a man made lake with a picturesque pool
surrounded by gardens and well-wooded trees are the first things that attract a
visitor. The garden surrounding the lake is well groomed and best seen during
the month of May when the Summer Festival is organized.38
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vii. Anna Park
Anna Park is a garden near the Lake. It is a lovely garden, maintained
by horticulture department. A park for children with a few slides for the
kiddies to play around is just next door to Anna park. Anna park is situated
next to the big lake. Area adjoining the park is thickly wooded with natural
species of trees. There is another adjacent park named the 'Japanese Park'
inside Anna park. It is a delightful place for the kids.
EXHIBIT: 4.6SWOTANALYSIS ON YERCAUD
Strength Weakness Less crowded by tourist when compared to
Ooty and Kodaikanal it get the benefit of both the south-west and
north-east monsoons, which causes therainfall to be more evenly distributedthroughout the year, and thus enhances thevalue of the place as a coffee and rubbergrowing district
Pleasant weather Poor man’s Ooty all at affordable price
when cost wise compared to Ooty
The roads are pathetic full ofcraters, ill maintained, uncared
Lesser known hill station whencompared to Ooty andKodaikanal
Non frequency of bus services Lack of infrastructure
development to increasetourism
Opportunity Threat Coffee Tourism Eco Tourism Green Tourism
The district administration’sgross failure to ban the use ofplastics and polythenecontainers in the hill station hasled to the generation of largeamount of non-biodegradablewaste, which is threatening thefragile ecosystem.
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4.2 Conclusion
Tourism can yield positive results provided it satisfies the requirements
of sustainable eco-development and is managed scientifically and gainfully; it
otherwise poses problems. To contain such problems, tourism should be
developed gradually over time so that the society can adapt it, get educated,
participate and enjoy the change. Local people should be made to participate in
planning and development of tourism so that they can bring new ideas, support
and influence the decisions, and in turn be a part of it. The Chapter V focuses
on the tourist perception, knowledge on eco-tourism, level of satisfaction
derviced at various tourist spots and expected changes / measures to be taken
by the tourism department of Tamilnadu.39
References1. History of Ooty - retrieved on 15.11.2010 from
http://www.ooty.net/history.html
2. Ootacamund – retrieved on 13.01.2011 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ootacamund
3. Location of Ooty – retrieved on 25.12.2010 from