Date:31/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/31/stories/2008073155140500.htm

Tamil Nadu

ATR to identify areas to promote eco-tourism in buffer zone

V.S. Palaniappan

To minimise human interference in the core forest area

The number of anti-poaching camps to be increased from 23 to 33
Forest department planning for more
Global Positioning Systems

Pollachi: The Anaimalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) is planning to identify areas to promote eco-tourism in its buffer zone.

The Field Director of the tiger reserve, H. Basuvaraju, told The Hindu that with the erstwhile Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park being turned into a tiger reserve, forest managers are compelled to minimise human interference in the core forest area.

That is one of the reasons to introduce the concept of regulated and restricted tourism in the sanctuary area.

The Forest Department is taking steps to protect the area by increasing the number of anti-poaching camps from 23 to 33.

This will help recruit tribals as anti-poaching watchers so that their livelihood is also ensured.

As part of modernisation, the department is planning to go in for more Global Positioning Systems. It will help supervisory officers keep track of the anti-poaching measures in the protected area.

For nature lovers

Only nature lovers who are interested in the flora and fauna will be permitted into the core forest areas for using the facilities at Top Slip, Mr.Basuvaraju said.

Eco-tourism will be developed at Aliyar, Monkey Falls, Amaravathy, Thirumurthy and other peripheral areas.

As part of the proposal, the department was planning to start a Regional Eco-Tourism Centre at Pollachi to brief visitors on the dos and don’ts while entering the forest area.

A sum of Rs. 1.9 crore was being spent to create necessary infrastructure at the centre, he said.