KOCHI: Rain elicits a mixed response in God’s Own Country. For those living in the city, rain brings a flood of problems. Overflowing drains, pothole-ridden roads, waterlogging and waste piles make life a miserable one for the city-zens during the rainy season. However, in stark contrast rain comes as a blessing to places bestowed with natural beauty. Rain washed forests resounding with the gurgle of crystal-clear rain-swollen streams are a tourist’s idea of paradise.
Thanks to a surge in the South West monsoon towards its fag end, the Sholayar forest region, which has some well-known tourist spots, has become vibrant. The dams and reservoirs have filled up, while waterfalls at Athirappilly, Charpa and Vazhachal have regained their glory. Such that a trip down the Chalakudi-Pollachi state highway, which passes through many of the aforesaid places, is a rejuvenating experience. And many tourists, both domestic and foreigners, are arriving at these places in large numbers.
Anooj, secretary of theVana Samrkashna Samithy, Athirappilly, said the average ticket sales at Athirapilly which used to be around Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 per day during normal days has increased to Rs 1.5 lakh per day this month. “Following heavy rain, reservoirs like Peringalkuthu and Sholayar are brimming with water. In order to release pressure, water is being discharged from these reservoirs and this, in turn, has increased the volume of the Athirappilly-Vazhachal waterfalls and also the Thumboormuzhy river. People are coming in large numbers to see the mighty falls and the blooming gardens,” he said.
Earlier, tourists only came to see the waterfalls, but today the more adventurous ones extend their trip by charting a course through the dense forests till Malakkappara near Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. However, the trip is wrought with danger since the route is often frequented by wild elephants, especially in regions like Anakkayam, where an elephant pass has been cut. The Forest Department does not entertain night trips since many tourist vehicles have been attacked in the past. Vehicular traffic is also not allowed after 6 pm, while bikers are not allowed after 4 pm. “But the region is gaining popularity among nature buffs since it is one of the most beautiful jungle safari routes in the state,” Anooj said.
According to Tourism Promotion Council executive officer Manesh Sebastian, the Athirappilly-Thumpoormuzhi-Vazhachal Destination Management Council has been organising jungle safaris in the past couple of years. “From this year onwards, DMC has decided to conduct jungle safaris exclusively for students at a subsidized rate. The student jungle safari aims to familiarise children with the flora and fauna of the region. Through the programme, we want to bring them closer to nature and thereby teach them the need to preserve it. Normally, the tourists are not allowed inside the Sholayar dam. But it will be thrown open to the participants of the safari,” he said.
DMC plans to make the safari a memorable one for the kids and promise a thrilling return trip accompanied by the various forest sounds in the evening. Students will get to listen to the songs of rare birds and see wild animals strolling in their natural habitat.
No littering
However, the Forest Department warns against littering. Tourists need to be more responsible since their actions may prove detrimental to the well-being of the flora and fauna.
A jungle safari
l The 68 km jungle safari will cover Thumboormuzhi-Athirappilly, Vazhachal, and Charpa waterfalls, Peringalkuthu and Sholayar dams, Anakkayam, thick forests in the region, valleys, lofty peaks, tea gardens, dam reservoirs and a plethora of wildlife, birds, and butterflies
lThe Athirappilly-Thumboormuzhi-Vazhachal Destination Management Council has decided to hold jungle safaris exclusively for students at subsidised rates
lThrowing plastic carry bags, waste, and honking to scare animals are strictly banned in the region
lTourists will not be allowed on the state highway passing through the dense forest after 6 pm and the entry for bikers is allowed till 4 pm