Kovai Courtrallam in Coimbatore: A Soul Raising Experience in God's Own Land

Kovai Courtrallam is popularly known as the “Vaidehi Falls”,which is located in the Narsipuram district of Coimbature. This place is situated on the outskirts of the city and is known for its pleasant climate. Kovai Courtrallum is filled up with so much scenic beauty as well as wilderness that it is famously known to be “Poor man's Ooty”.
Coimbatore is said to be the gateway of Kerela and also one of the hottest tourist destinations in the country especially for the Nilgiris. Kovai Courtrallam has a good number of hotels and restaurants therefore recently enough it has been able to tap the eco tourist market. Boating is one of the favourite activities for the tourists in Singanallur lake .

Kovai Courtallum Falls
The Kovai Courtallum Falls has been given a face lift recently with a cost of Rs 16 lakhs which has been thrown open to the public since May 21st 2009.
The District Forest Officer, P. Durairasu, said the department has taken much pain in chiselling the rocks. It was done to ensure a comfortable flow of water through the falls so that the tourists get a comfortable shower at the falls. To make things more lucid a trekking shed has been renovated to make it a resting room. Arrangements have also been made for separate toilets and changing rooms for women, men and children. A small pool has been carved from the falls so to give a safe area to play for the children.

The recent monsoon rains have literally increased the flow of water in the falls therefore iron suspension pillars acting as foot over bridges have been put up for Tourists. One such bridge has been erected on the top, to help the tourists to have a view of the falls from a point of elevation. Similarly a bridge has been erected at a lower level for the benefit of the aged people for their travelling purpose.
Visitors and tourists are allowed to enter the falls only between 10a.m and 3 p.m.

Adventure walkaway
Another good news for the tourists is that Kovai Courtrallam will soon become one of the sought after picnic spots for people. Kudos to the Eco tourism initiatives of the Forest department that they are in the process of bringing out an adventure walkaway near the Kovai Courtrallum falls in Coimbatore. This would be a first of its kinds thereby to tap immense tourism potentials lying unbroached in the scenic sketches of the Western ghats.
This was literally a brainchild of Mr R. Kannan (Conservator of forests) and Mr I. Anwardeen (District Forest Officer) who interposed a proposal for bringing in eco friendly tourist facilities at Kovai Courtrallum. The plan started off last year and is on the verge of completion. The forest Department has announced to open up the facilities in the coming months. Therefore, work is going on in its full sway giving its final touches under the supervision of Range Officer, Pooluvampatti, G. Rajeshwaran.
The outlay facilitated for the initiative is somewhere Rs 79.35 lakh extended over a period of two years. The main objective is to tap Eco Tourism potential but at the same time ensure guided and restricted benefits so that not to cause even an iota of disturbance to the ecological panorama.
The project also envisions to guarantee that the tourists have a feeling of nature's lap as well as a good revenue generation gets into the kitty of the eco Tourism and developmental committees. These initiatives have also helped in the employment generation and livelihood provision of the tribal communities dwelling in and around the forest area.
The tribals are engaged in employment activities like the males are acting as guides and watchers in carrying the project forward and the women as watchers in the women bathing area in the falls. They are also engaged in the cleaning activities keeping the area fully clean and eco friendly.

True view of Flora and Fauna
The Eco Tourism initiatives in Kovai Courtrallam also included an auditoriam hall at the Chadivayal check post where the forest department have made arrangements to display the specimen samples of all the varieties of flora and fauna present in the Siruvani hills. Provisions have also been made for a wildlife show.

Eco friendly Tree Top houses, Elevated walkaway, Ropeway
Tourists would be enthralled to know that the Forest Department is making preparatory measures of four rest houses for the people who are wiling to stay more than a day. Rest houses of two types would come into implementation . The first is two ordinary types rest houses and the second one is two tree top rest houses. An elevated walkway is being made covering a distance of 150 mts where the tourists can well have view of the canopy. A Ropeway for the adventure loving tourists is also on the way to make a mark over the river to provide a feeling of hanging and gliding .

Watch Tower and canteen facilities
A watch tower is also getting constructed for commissioning the visitors to have glorious view of the valley and the upper precinct of the Kovai Coutrallam Falls as it seems a silver line cascading from the Western Ghats. The present rest house at Pooluvampatti has been renovated with a cost of Rs 4 lakh.
In Chadivayal, arrangements are made for the coming up of a canteen hall for the tourists staying there and also for the day tourists who are accompanied with their own food items. This measure has been enacted and is to be followed to avoid the littering of the Reserve Forest Area with plastic and packaging materials thereby making the environment truly Eco Friendly.

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Bhitarkanika National Park : An Awesome Amazement for Eco-Tourists

Bhitarkanika National Park is a very famous hot spot of Bio Diversity . It is aforethought as one of the most impassioned wild life sanctuaries of Asia. Bhitarkanika is one among many such locations covering rich, lush green vibrant eco system which lies in the estuarine region of the Brahmani – Baitrani in the North eastern corner of Kendrapara district of Orissa.

The Bhitarkanika wild life sanctuary is special for more than one reason as it houses the greatest of all dynamic and salt tolerant trees, mangroves, which generally grow in these tropical climate and sub tropical inter tidal regions. Bhitarkanika also boasts of having a exuberant rich and pulsating eco system.

The region between the meandering creeks and rivers,houses the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India. Bhitarkanika covers around 672 sq kms of mangrove forests & wetland and provides home to well over 215 species of birds including winter migrants from central Asia and Europe . Giant salt water crocodiles and a variety of other wild life inhabitants are there in this eco system which makes Bhitarkanika one of the most spectacular wild life area promoting wild life tourism to its best.

Bhitarkanika is the second largest most viable Mangrove Eco-System in India which harbours more than 70 species of Mangrove which are unique to the climatic conditions,other marvels to view are the Giant Salt water crocodiles and amazing eight variety of Kingfishers birds. It is basically these rarities that command the arena.Therefore, the vast expanse of the forest cover of 145 sq kms has been officially declared as the Bhitarkanika National Park.

The park which is a major tourist destination includes mangrove forests, estuaries, creeks, rivers, accumulated land, back water and mud flats which are significant making the ecological,geomorphological and biological arena of Orissa indispensable.

Adding more laurels to Bhitarkanika Wild life sanctuary are the rich avifauna, mammalian and the reptilian population. The Bhitarkanika Sanctuary is thought to be the best habitat for King Cobra, Indian Python,and the water monitor Lizard. The area is also frequented by a large number of water birds every year from June to October. The area near the Sujore Creek in the sanctuary is also frequently visited by the Asian Open bills , Black Ibis, darters, Egrets etc.

Above all the best part of the season is the breeding of a record number of endangered gharials featured in a report as on 20 August 2009.It is a bonanza breeding time going on in the Bhitarkanika National Park in Orissa as this year 63 of the 79 eggs have hatched laid by the Gharials .

Mr Prasanna Kumar Behera ,the divisional forest officer said that this is a great achievement for the Forest department .The eggs of the Gharials which are the members of the crocodile family are collected from the wild and hatched artificially in the crocodile research farm in Bhitarkanika for their conservation and thereby promoting their growth. These Gharials are unique in their own way and are an endangered species.

The baby Gharials are reared for a couple of years then they are released in the wild. This project with a title of 'Rear and Release' was launched in 1975 by the UN Development programme(UNDP).

Since its inception this place has become a delight for tourists and recently enough with the growing population of the Gharials it is getting promoted more for its eco tourist value.

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Kodaikanal : Basking in the Glory to be One of the Hot Spots for Eco Tourism

Kodaikanal is said to be a paradise of South India and is proclaimed to be one of the most popular hill resorts in India. Kodaikanal stands apart, amidst all the hill stations not only for its beauty but also for its biodiversity. Kodaikanal is situated on the southern crest of the upper Palani hills near Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Its serene beauty of rocks, woods, lovely lake side scenery is incomparable with anything else.
Kodaikanal is situated at an altitude of about 2,133-m and also covers an area of 21.45sq km. The hill station is also renowned for its fruits and plums available throughout the year. Kodai is also known for the Belijam lake, which is counted as one of the most beautiful lakes in India and spreads over an area of 24 hectares.
Kodaikanal is again creating ruffles not for its beauty but for the immense number of facilities which would be created shortly in the prime tourist spots promoting Eco Tourism.
A complete facelift would be done to the lesser known destinations in and around Kodaikanal. Floral Tourism would be promoted to the best and the Kodaikanal lake would be having battery operated train and car services shortly to attract more and more tourists as per the announcement by the collector Mr M.Vallalar.

Mr M. Vellalar proclaimed, while presiding over a meeting on tourism on Wednesday on the 12thof August 2009, that battery operated car and trains would be hovering around the Kodai lake.

Another proposal is also doing the rounds that a rose garden would be set up in Byrant park which would be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore. A sum of Rs 20 lakh has also been allocated to be spent for the development of the Anna Statue Junction.

A total renovation is also proposed to be provided to the Thadiyankudisai and the Thandigudi hills. The major chunk of enjoyment would be when the so proposed tree top houses and eco friendly homes would be constructed which would enthrall the tourists like never before.

Mr Vallalar also made it clear that Elephant safari trips are also in the planning to be introduced in the forest areas in and around Kavunji and Mannavanur villages on the upper Kodaikanal hill.

The uniqueness of the flowering plant 'Kurunji' (Strobilanthus Kunthanus) is that it had last bloomed in 2004, and is believed to be an ultimate nature's gift to Kodaikanal. Kodaikanal is situated amidst the folds of the verdant Pali hills which is considered to be one of the most popular serene hill stations in India. It enchants any visitor and is frequented throughout the year by tourists and travelers.

Therefore ascertaining this in mind a Kurinji Flower sanctuary is planned to be developed in a valley below Coaker's walk. Efforts are also on the foray to introduce trekking and para gliding facilities in the regions of Vellakai and the Kumbhakarai forest area as reiterated by the collector of Kodaikanal.

Plans are also on the way to remove the restrictions on entry into the Berijam lake area for tourists. Presently only 25 vehicles per day that too with the permission of the forest department are allowed an entry into the Berijam lake area, but it is ascertained that ban would be lifted shortly.

Mr Vallalar during his speech also advised the hotels and restaurants to display the price list and the room tariffs on the reception itself. They should also keep in mind that they are keen enough in providing free booklets on all the tourist spots on the hill station.

Mr Vallalar said, details regarding the name, their address, all the contact telephone numbers of hotels of the hill resorts and their online booking facility should be added in the website.

Hotel owners are also advised to use all the renewable sources of energy like that of solar water heaters and other non – conventional energy equipments so that it scales down the level of global warming as it truly paves the path towards eco tourism.

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“The Olive Ridley Turtles at Rushikulya Rookery and Gahirmatha in Orissa : A Serene Delight to enthrall”

It all started way back in 1993 when biologists and conservationist from the department of Forestry in Orissa with that of the Wild Life Institute of India congregated together on the banks of Rushikulya river, in Ganjam District of Orissa. It was learnt that Rushikulya has become a large scale nesting ground for the Olive Ridley Turtles.This area was thereby declared the largest mass nesting (Arribada) sites for the Olive Ridley Turtles in India.
It is the single most important breeding area for the Olive Ridley Turtles along the Bay of Bengal in Indian Ocean is Orissa. The Rushikulya river mouth is also said to be the second largest nesting site of the Olive Ridley Turtles in the World after the Gahirmatha beach.
Since 1994 this rare specie of Olive Ridley Turtles have been observed and found to be laying lakhs of eggs along the beach. As per government data during this season more than 2,80,000 of eggs had been sighted at the beach along the sea coast located at a distance of around 30 kms from the coastal town of Gopalpur, in Ganjam district.
It's a boon for the Olive Ridley Turtles that they are thriving in this area without any threat from the local communities because as per Hindu Mythology, Sea Turtles are said to be an incarnation of one of the Gods.
In 1995, the WII initiated a research survey on the Olive Ridleys along the coast of Rushikulya. As a part of the program the youths from the local fishermen communities were trained and helped in the tagging of the Sea Turtles for their protection during the nesting and hatching season.
Added to the delight is the sight of Blue whales being spotted in the seas off Rushikulya mouth in the Bay of Bengal. Therefore Rushikulya Mouth is thought to be one of the easiest places to watch the mesmerising Blue whales.
Recently,the sighting of these mammoth blue whales in the coast of Orissa have been reported by Mr Rabindra Nath Sahu, the Secretary of the Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee who along with his team of RSTPC is completely devoted in the protection and rehabilitation of the olive Ridleys. According to Mr Sahu, the Blue Whales have been spotted in the Sea during the months April, May and June. Expressing his enjoyment and thrill he exclaimed that watching Olive Ridleys are always a pleasure but seeing a Blue Whale as well is an added bonus and a dream come true .
The Blue Whales are the largest mammal on earth and can grow upto 110 feet and weigh somewhere around 180 tonnes. The Rushikulya river mouth is turning into a probable hot spot for the nature and marine animal lovers .One can have the view of Turtles, Blue Whales and the Irrawaddy Dolphins as well.
To promote more of this Eco Tourism the hoteliers, Tour operators and the marine fishermen have joined hands on the Rushikulya rookery coast.
They all have taken up this initiative with the full support of the Department of forest and Tourism.
It has been decided as well to form an eco-tourism club in Ganjam district of Orissa.
To make things better an initiative has also been taken to make Podampeta the site for tourists and travelers during the nesting season of the Olive Ridleys without even harming their mass nesting site .
A proposal is also going the rounds that with the very help of the Tourism Department 10 tents would be erected with the basic amenities being provided near the coast for the tourists who are enthusiast enough to watch nesting of the turtles during night. The best part of this proposal is that the Local Women Self Help groups (WSHG) would basically cater to this Eco Tourism Project and they would be trained for the purpose .

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Kuno WildLife Sanctuary : A New Lease of Life for the Asiatic Lions of Gir

“Save the wild to save the world” - if we proclaim it this way it doesn't sound wrong. Proving the authenticity of these words, the Wild life Institute of India has taken a step forward by recommending the set up of the Kuno Wild Life Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh to save the royal Asiatic Lions of Gir Forest, making it their second home.

Asiatic Lions are facing the greatest of all dangers and are in the way of annihilation. Therefore immediate steps need to be taken to stop their habitat from getting destroyed and they being poached in the Gir forests .

To our amazement as well as dismay it is learnt that the Asiatic Lions are limited to the Gir Forests of Gujarat in India. They are found no where else in the world. Therefore these endangered species need to be saved. The Wild life Institute of India took the initiative and thereby conducted a survey on three different places viz : Darrah Jawahar sagar (Rajasthan), Sitamata(Rajasthan) and Kuno Palpur(MadhyaPradesh) for their relocation.

According to the study Kuno Palpur was zeroed in as the final one. Kuno Palpur, better known as Kuno Wildlife sanctuary is built in an area of 344.686 sq kms and was sought to be the ideal site for relocation of the Asiatic lions of Gir. The area consists of Kuno wild life division and also covers an additional 900 sq ft area as buffer zone.

Kuno Palpur has already to its distinction of being a wild life sanctuary. It also enjoys the credibilities as well protection provided under the wild life protection act of 1972.

This initiative was named Kuno Project and as per the report by conservation biologists the environment of Kuno is very much apt and adaptive for the rehabilitation and distribution of the Asiatic lions. The arena of the sanctuary is very much befitted for the Asiatic Lions making them less vulnerable to poaching as well as overcrowding.

The entire wild life of Kuno is divided into a number of habitats such as that of the riparian habitat, savanna and ravenous terrain. The sanctuary is home to a huge number of wild species. One can also delight on a wide number of wild species of birds.

To improve the living habitat of the Asiatic lions various steps have been taken up by the management like that of relocating a large number of villagers inside the Kuno reserve. It is estimated that around 1543 families have been resettled who have received Rs 1453 lakhs so far.

Kudos to the government of Madhya Pradesh which has sent a proposal to the central government under the centrally sponsored scheme. It is for the development of National parks and sanctuaries for which an amount of Rs 1545 lakhs have already been sanctioned and development has already started.

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Punjab Govt Adds a Feather to its Cap Approving the Eco Tourism Policy

Eco tourism has become the say of the day. More and more people as well regions are becoming vigilant in promoting eco tourism thereby forwarding a step towards its conservation of the flora and fauna as well. The Punjab government has initiated contributing towards the conservation of the biodiversity and truly professing eco tourism in the form of issuing farm housing certificates to 15 farm houses as well their owners which comes under the farm housing tourism scheme.

The tourism Minister of Punjab Hira Singh Gabria announced as on 19th August 2009 that the beneficiaries of this scheme are 23 dhaba owners who had sent their applications and got it approved as well. These Dhaba owners would be imparted training at the Chandigarh Hotel Management institute so that they could cater well to the tourists. This scheme which comes under the farm/highway tourism under the tourism department would start getting implemented this year itself.

Added to this Mr Gabria said that this aforesaid eco tourism policy has already been approved by the cabinet and work has already started on this proposal by the Heritage and promotion board to make it a success.
The above said project also gains importance as it includes the wetlands of Nangal, Harike and Ropar.

Nangal Lake was declared as a national wetland in Jan 2008 by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. This lake commands immense biodiversity being an important source of about 90 species of fish. The lake as well has been found to support a large number of local and migratory birds of rare species.

It is estimated that on an average 6-8 thousands of migratory waterfowls visit the lake during winters. The serene upstream portions of the lake act as good radder for the apt sustenance of the flora and fauna. Therefore action management plans have been implemented and are worked upon and this farm tourism scheme being one of the major chunk for promoting Eco tourism in the truest way.

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