eco tourism in Amaravathy and Thirumurthy areas
Authorities are working on a proposal to give a fillip to eco-tourism in Amaravathy and Thirumurthy areas in Tirupur district. The proposal includes the much-awaited facelift to the crocodile park at Amaravathy Nagar near Udumalpet.
The crocodile park is crying for attention as the maintenance over the last several years has taken a beating owing to paucity of funds. The park as on date collects only 0.50 paise as entry fee from visitors.
As the park plays a major role in eco education to the student community and the public, the authorities have planned to renovate it.
Amaravathy and Thirumurthy dams.
The crocodile park came into existence in the 1960s along with the ones in Hogenakkal, Sathanur Dam and at the zoo in Chennai. It is popular among tourists who visit Amaravathy and Thirumurthy dams.
Landmarks:
The park and Sainik School have become important landmarks in Amaravathy Nagar.
The park set up on close to 4.5 acres has 115 crocodiles. The park was started with hatchlings and eggs of the Marsh crocodile, known as Mugger, from Moyar River in the upper reaches of the Nilgiris.
There is a need to conserve and protect the species which are in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and they play a major role in conservation of the aquatic system and its bio-diversity.
Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) – Eco tourism
The officials of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) commenced an exercise to study the condition of the park and suggest improvement. It was carried out under the supervision of Field Director of ATR P. Varatharaj and Deputy Director and District Forest Officer of Tirupur K. Rajkumar.
The teams that inspected the park suggested getting some more land adjacent to the park belonging to the Public Works Department.
(SOURCE: THE HINDU DATED; OCTOBER 1,2011).
Recommendations:
The other recommendations were to repair the borewell, walkers’ pavement, replacement of standoff barriers to distance the crocodiles from the visitors, planting saplings, replacing chain links over the enclosure to prevent the escape of crocodiles besides improvements to the ponds and moats.
Mr.Rajkumar said that a proposal had been initiated by the district administration in association with the Forest Department and Public Works Department to develop the tourism facilities at Amaravathy Dam.
