Nilgiris - Tourist Information

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Nilgiris - Tourist Information

Kinnakorai

It's a place where the climate changes like your mood. Kinnakorai, situated at the tip of the Nilgiris, on the Kerala-tamilnadu border,is inhabited by a few score Badaga families that still believe in old-words Hospitality. When we ask for directions at the Manjur bus stand, a local thalaivar comes to our aid and soon two Badaga men acompany us on the hour-and a-half drive. At Carrington Estate, the tea plantation stretchas far as the eye can see. The rays of the sun cut a swathe acros the middle of the deep green-gray valley part of which belongs to Kerala.

As you walk down the quiet Carrington road enroute to Kinnakorai,even the sound of twigs snapping under your feet gets magnified. Nerby is the Thiasholatea estate, which grows organic tea. Carington and Thiashola are the oldest tea plantation in the Nilgiris. After stopping by at the tea plantations, make it a point to visit at least one badaga village. We choose Melur - a village where tradition and modernity have struck a truce. The children go down to the plains to study while the elders continue life at their own pace.

The people are so friendly that they don't mind you gawking at their traditional attire. Known for their hospitality, they ensure that you never leave without sharing a meal with them. At the entrance to Melur is a semi - circular beach-like stone structure. This is were the village headman presides over meetigs. A hole in the midle server as a fireplace. Nearby, a grid for a game of dice has been chiselled in stone. This and the image of a tiger were carved in 1882, as indicated by the artist's signature on a stone near by.

The local believe that anyone who is sick will be cured if they show the affected part to the image, first thing in the morning. The road leading to Kinnakorai is an example of harmonious co-existence between Man and Nature. The forest is so well preserved that tigers and panthers don't mind taking a stroll even in the middle of the day.The locals don't panic and merely wait for the original inhabitants to move on. That the people here love nature is evident in the way they look after their surroundings.

Winch Station

Down below are acres and acres of native shola forests, an overwhelming view. The winch station is only a five-minute walk away. From here, a car makes its way down a four-stage route, dropping engineers and workers off to check the pipes every day. The winch station is a sight by itself. The old machinery that lowers the black, oiled steel coil that holds the car has been working continually since 1956. A grease-specked board in brass announces the country of origin: England.The three-kilometre trip by winch to Geddai takes a total of 80 minutes, 20 minutes for each stop.

Once the winch at Penstock reaches the next stop, the next winch car there takes over. To hop aboard one, you need permission from the Electricity Board. A little away from the winch station is a Forest Department trekking shed, also with a view point. From here, you can see a body of dirty brown water swirling near the power station. The route to the view point is fragrant with blooming jaadi malli and roses. From here, you can trek to Kundah, Edakadu, Avalanche, Pandithopal and Parson's Valley. For permission to stay in the trekking shed, write to the District Forest Officer, Nilgiris South Division, Udhagamandalam.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

Mudumalai wildlife reserve is a continuation of the Bandipur National Park. The river Moyar that flows along the border or Tamil Nadu and Karnataka separates the two. The Mysore - Ooty highway runs through the park. The 321 sq. km. reserve is situated in Tamil Nadu. Mudumalai wildlife reserve was the first sanctuary in south India. The terrain is extremely varied with hills, valleys, ravines, watercourses and swamps. The vegetation comprises of tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and scrub forests. Compared to the nearby reserves, the climate is warmer in Mudumalai.

Langur, bonnet macaque, tiger, leopard, wild dog, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, elephants, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, Indian muntjac, mouse deer, wild boar, rodent and flying squirrel are part of the wildlife in Mudumalai. It has a rich bird life that includes Malabar trogan, Grey hornbill, crested hawk eagle, crested serpent eagle, etc. The best time to visit the reserve is from February to June. The sanctuary can be reached by road. The nearest railway station is Udakamandalam. The nearest airport is Coimbatore. Accommodation can be arranged at forest rest house, guesthouses at Masinagudi, Kargudi, Abhayaranyam and Theppakkadu.

Nilgiris - Tourist Information

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