Tamil Nadu has abundant tourist attractions. Though known for its conventional types of tourism where a tourist seeks pleasure and leisure supplemented by business, educational, religious, cultural and other social motives, modern forms of tourism, fulfilling different purposes is also becoming popular. Tamil Nadu, apart from its cultural, historical and religious wealth, has ail abundance of natural wealth, which makes it a tourist paradise. Its gurgling waterfalls, beautiful beaches, exotic hill stations, emerald green natural habitats wondrous flora, fauna and avifauna found in its Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks, zoological Parks, Bird Sanctuaries, Botanical/ Horticultural Gardens, Mangroves, Lakes, Rivers, Streams, Springs, scenic grandeur and many an alluring spot constitute its natural heritage.1
Hill stations have been favoured destinations for travellers for centuries, They have attracted human beings since the Prehistoric times because of their natural beauty, exclusive flora and fauna, fresh and unpolluted air, endless expanse of greenery and virgin landscape. In the ancient era mountains and hills were known as abodes of Gods. Original beauty was maintained in the ancient period as human interference was almost negligible. The divine silence of the hills and mountains started breaking in the medieval period.3 The development which followed started to change the ecology of the area. The initiation of human interference which began in the medieval period took its concrete shape in the British period.4 It was the British who were responsible for introducing technology and scientific marvel in the hills with the purpose of modernizing the region.
The discovery and development of nearly all hill resorts in India is attributed to the British. Despite poor and difficult communications, they discovered these places and developed them as hill resorts to escape the heat of the plains and to live in beautiful wooded surroundings which were cool and serene providing the right setting for rest and relaxation. Later the Indians too yearned too cooler places to escape the heat of the simmering plains thereby making these places popular summer destinations.5 In the incredible and incomparable land of India the hill resorts happen to be the most intoxicating travel destinations of all. The hill resorts are the paradise for the adventure seekers that offer a wide variety of sports ranging from skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking to mountain biking.6
Tamil Nadu is fortunate to have a number of hill destinations. Some of these like Kodaikanal on the Palani Range, Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Conoor, and Kothagiri on the Nilgiri Range and Yercaud on the Shervaroys are popular among both foreign and domestic tourists;7 Apart from these well known hill stations there are a few lesser known hill resorts in Tamil Nadu like Yelagiri on the Javadhu hills in Vellore District. It is not yet found a respectable place In the tourist map of Tamil Nadu. Yelagiri is potential tourist destinations, which, if developed, will generate revenue for the government, generate employment for the local people and also reduce the burden on the already developed hill stations.8
Yelagiri is a picturesque green hill station situated at an altitude of 1048.5mts on an area of 29.2sq km. It is situated 25 Kms from Jolarpet Junction on the Chennai Coimbatore rail track and is nearly 220 kms from Chennai and 148 kms from Bangalore. One can reach Alangayam, a village situated at the foot of the hills. From Vaniyambadi, buses ply to Alangayam, from where a winding ghat road with 14 hairpin bends leads to the top of Javadhu Hills, surrounded by thick sandal wood forests. This steep road leads to Kavalur, where an Astronomical Observatory is situated. By trekking, one can reach the southern part of the Javadhu Hills’ reach Polur, a taluk headquarters, which is about 30 Kms from the Temple town of Thiruvannamalai.9
It has an unpolluted atmosphere. Situated amidst four mountains, it has a serene atmosphere and salubrious climate throughout the year. In summer the temperature is 34 degrees and in winter it is 11 degrees.10 The hair pin bends offer breathtaking views. The 7th hair pin bend is significant since it offers the view of the slopes of the mountain and the green forest therein.
It has a beautiful environ and a small lake for boating. The trek route from Yelagiri Hills to Jalagamparai Water falls at the down hill takes a couple of hours and is recommended for starters. Another trek route to Jalagamparai, through villages, will take about 4 hours. This trekking trail is recommended for normal trekking. A trek through the forests to reach the peak is little tedious.11
At Punganur there is an artificial lake excavated in any area of 56.706 square meters. Boating on the waters of this lake is an enchanting experience. The Yelagiri hills development and tourism promotion society runs the boat club with pedaling and rowing boats. An artificial fountain has been installed at the centre of the lake which sprinkles water up to 15 feet high. It is illuminated at night with colourful lighting arrangements.12
The rose garden at Padanur, horticultural farm at Thayaloor and the Childrens park at Athanavur are the main destinations for tourists. A mini Zoo containing animals has also been established in an impressive manner. The Government fruit farm, botanical garden at Athanavur and Nilavur have varieties of fruit bearing trees and plants which bear flowers of various hues and shapes. The Government herbal farm maintained by the forest department is located adjacent to the Punganur Lake where herbs and shrubs are cultivated to produce the main ingredients in producing Ayurvedic and Siddha medicines.13
A telescope has been installed on the Ghat road for the benefit of the tourists to have glimpses of the slopes and the terrains of the hill. a tree top machan constructed on a big tree situated adjacent to the lake offers that visitors a panoramic view of the area. The biggest solar observatory is situated in Kavalur, 35 kms from Tirupattur and 25 kms from Yelagiri. The Observatory can also be accessed 30 kms away from Vaniyambadi. Prior permission must be obtained to visit the Observatory. A large variety of deer roam around the Observatory. Downhill the “Attaru” river passes through the yelagiri hills and falls from 30 meters height at Jadaiyanur on the other side of the hills this is called as the Jalagamparai Waterfalls. This could either be reached from Tirupattur (15 kilometer) or it is an hour’s trek from the hills.14
To convert this emerging tourist destination as popular destination the government and the private sector have a significant role to play. Based on the observations made the researcher has pointed out a few suggestions which, if implemented, would in the long run develop this region into popular destination. Efforts need to be taken to publicize the immense tourist potential of Tamil Nadu and make good all the inadequacies.
More signboards/hoardings to be put up en-route and at important entry points of the district, near airports, railway stations and bus terminals indicating all probable tourist destinations around the area. To strengthen / spruce the existing infrastructure and augment infrastructure facilities wherever necessary. Visitor Information Centers and Computerized Information Centers to be set up at all possible entry points. tourism brochures to be displayed in glass cabins wherever possible. Promote and develop places of local interest. Provide facilities for recreation and adventure sports and improve the already existing ones. Fair price shops to be set up for display and sale of locally made products.
Dr. P. Raja, Assistant Professor, Department of History, D.G. Government Arts College, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu.
REFERENCES
- Sati. V.P., Tourism Development in India, Pointer Publishers, Jaipur, 2001, p 233.
- W.C. Gartner and D.W. Lime, Trends in Outdoor Recreation, Leisure and Tourism, London, 2000, pp. 265-268.
- J.K. Sharma, Tourism and Development (Design for Ecological Sustainability), New Delhi, 2000, p. 40.
- Ibid., p. 45.
- Pamphlet, “Hill Stations in Tamil Nadu”, Department of tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, 2010.
- Pamphlet, “Ooty, Kodaikanal and Conoor”, Department of tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, 2012.
- Chris Cooper, Tourism Principles and Practices, Pitman, London, 1993, p. 95.
- Tourism Statistical Handbook-1997, published by the Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, 1999, p. 32.
- Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Tourism, Tenth Five Year Plan Proposal (2002- 2007), pp2-3.
- D.S. Bhardwaj, Manjula Chaudhary, Contemporary Issues in Tourism, Mumbai, 1997, p. 5.
- The Hindu, dated May 24, 2004; Soma Basu. “Low Profile heat buster”, p 4.
- Praveen Sethi, Tourism, the Next Generation, New Delhi, 1999, p. 28.
- information and Tourism Development, Tourism Demand No.28, Policy Note 2005-2006.
- Manual under Right to Information Act – 2005, Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, 2006.