Jul 07, 2009 01:00 PM
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(Updated Jul 07, 2009 11:01 PM)
THE CONCEPT
Eco tourism has been developed in Piloor, which comes under Buralikad at the foot of Mettupalayam, near Oooty. Piloor is located in the forests at the foot of Ooty near Mettupalayam.The concept ha been developed by a forest officer of Coimbatore forest range. Its aim is to preserve and foster the serene beauty of the tourist spot without causing nuisance to the natural surroundings. The tourists are not allowed to bring in anything with them or from outside. Everything is provided by the Eco tourism developer, in this case by the Tamilnadu Forest department.
ACCESSIBILITY
Piloor is located on the mountain ranges of Ootacamund at the foot of Mettupalayam. It is accessible from Karnataka, Kerela and from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Though there are transport facilities from Coimbatore it is advised to proceed in a fourwheeler. Piloor is on the way to Ooty. No sooner you reach Karamadai, you have take a left turn to proceed to Piloor.
PERMISSION AND CHARGES
In order to make a trip to Piloor eco tourism resort one has to obtain prior permission from Coimbaore forest department as Piloor is in a reserved forest area and you have to cross to two checkposts. It is open only on Saturday's, Sunday's and Government Holidays. There is restriction in the number of persons allowed. In all only 40 persons are allowed in a day. The department collects Rs.300/- per head and the receipts are purely used for tribal development in Piloor and no single paise is sent to the coffers of the Government. It is used for the education, housing, water and other facilities required for tribals.
THE EXCURSION
Sooner your permission is granted you have to proceed either in a Government Bus or a two wheeler or four wheeler and try to reach Piloor before 9 am to enjoy the excursion for a full day. After crossing two checkposts - where the vehicle is checked to ensure nothing from outside is brought - you reach Piloor. You are receivied by a forest officer and his guides there who makes you feel at home. You are then escorted in front of the Bhavani river which provides a scenic beauty. It is sandwhiched between the mountain ranges. The forest officer then leads you to the bank of the river where fibre boats(caracol) are available for poceeding on a sail. Five people are permitted to occupy the boat. Since the depth of the Bhavani river being 60 to 80 feet and also of possible speed winds sweeping at times, life jackets are provided to each individual. A navigator navigates the fibre boat. You are taken around the Piloor river for about two hours and during the journey you are dropped on the other side of the bank where you can get down, take a walk and enjoy the scenic beauty and intereact with the tribals.
After your sail of two hours you are brought back to the bank, where a sumptuous, buffet like meals is provided by the forest department. The forest department employs the tribal for arranging the buffet who prepare the dishes with the ingredients procured from the mountain. The meals are served by the tribals in a dish on plantain leaves duly wearing gloves. After this sumptuous meal you are provided with seasonal fruits grown in the mountains. The dishes are really good not to speak of the fruits served after food.
BATHING AND TREKKING
After a brief respite you are taken to Atthikadavu which is on the way back to Mettupalayam within the forest range by a guide where you can see a beautiful river flowing through rocks and mangroves. You can take a bath there and then you are taken for trekking from there for about one and half hour.
CONCLUSION
I found that this concept is welcomed by all as you can't see any litters of plastic papers, coffee cups and paper plates as you find in almost all tourist places.The trip concludes around 5 p.m. and you are not allowed to stay beyond 5 p.m. as animals come from 5 p.m.onwards for taking bath in the river and we did see 3 elephants which reached earlier than 5 p.m and the tribals drove them away. It is learnt that the forest department is building cottages to enable visitors to stay in the night to watch wild animals in the night and of course a proposal is there to arrange for a tribal dance also in the night. And all this package costs you Rs.300/- per head presently. MS friends do enjoy Piloor. It is advisable to visit during the start of the rainy season which will be pleasant to enjoy.
