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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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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

Record high°C (°F)

24(75)

24(75)

24(75)

25(77)

24(75)

22(72)

20(68)

20(68)

21(70)

21(70)

22(72)

23(73)

Averagehigh °C (°F)

20(68)

21(70)

22(72)

22(72)

21(70)

18(64)

16(61)

17(63)

18(64)

19(66)

19(66)

20(68)

Average low°C (°F)

5(41)

6(43)

8(46)

10(50)

11(52)

10(50)

10(50)

10(50)

10(50)

10(50)

8(46)

6(43)

Record low -2 2 5 8 9 8 9 8 7 6 3 2

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°C (°F) (28) (36) (41) (46) (48) (46) (48) (46) (45) (43) (37) (36)

Precipitationmm (inches)

20(0.79)

10(0.39)

26(1.02)

75(2.95)

147(5.79)

137(5.39)

181(7.13)

124(4.88)

135(5.31)

189(7.44)

140(5.51)

53(2.09)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ootacamund

a. Demography

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.

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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

104

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

104

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

104

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

104

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

Competitive Unsustainable tourism Commercialization

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

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