Date:02/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/02/stories/2008100261120600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Efforts under way to establish eco park and herbal park

Staff Reporter

In the Karur Municipal limits : Collector T.N. Venkatesh

KARUR: Efforts are under way to establish an eco park and a herbal park in the Karur Municipal limits, according to District Collector T.N. Venkatesh.

Conservancy awareness programme

Speaking after launching the conservancy awareness programme at the Pasupatheeswarar temple here on Tuesday, Mr. Venkatesh said that the conservancy awareness programme that included sweeping the temple premises clean was part of the World Tourism Day celebrations.

It was organized to create awareness among the public on the important monuments and places of interest in their locality.

Cleaner tourist destinations

It was important that the picnic spots and tourist places be kept clean to attract the visitors.

Similarly the hospitality extended to the visitors would help the places remain etched in the minds of the visitors long after they had returned to their homelands.

To instill this in the minds of the public, especially the young people, such events were being celebrated, Mr. Venkatesh added.

The Department of Tourism was instrumental in organizing the sweeping campaign of the Pasupatheeswarar temple.

A total of 118 students from the Government Arts College, Thanthonrimalai, here participated in the programme. Mr. Venkatesh lauded the enthusiasm of the participants.

Development works

He said that through the Department of Tourism a proposal has been forwarded to the State Government to undertake development works to the tune of Rs. 50 lakh at Ayyarmalai by constructing a dhyana mandapam, improving road works, drinking water facilities, public sanitation premises, and other such facilities.

Similarly, proposals have been forwarded to establish an eco park and a herbal farm in the Karur Municipal limits while there was another plan to establish a herbal farm at Rangamalai near Aravakruichi through the Department of Forests, Mr. Venkatesh said.

Chairman, Board of Trustees of Pasupatheeswarar temple Sarathy Subramanian, members Melai Palaniappan, Satheesh Kumar, Senthil Kumar, Jayabal, and Assistant Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Gopalakrishnan were among those present during the programme.