Rs.1.35 crore project for Ponmudi

Ponmudi, the hill resort in the capital district, is to be made an eco-friendly destination at a cost of Rs.1.35 crore. The Union Government had cleared the project, being implemented under the proposed Southern Eco-tourism Circuit, and provided funds for the first phase. The first phase to be implemented by KITCO, at an estimated cost of Rs.61 lakh, would be completed within a year. The project envisages the protection of the bio-diversity of  Ponmudi besides increasing its tourism potential. The resort, divided into four zones, would have facilities to aid tourist.

Zones I and II would comprise walkways and pathways along the cliff faces with fenced viewing decks and galleries. Zone III would have a parking zone and a play area. Pathways and view decks have been incorporated into the design. The last zone would have an interpretation center, ticketing booth, and entrance arch and toilet facilities, etc. The interpretation center and ticketing booth have been placed strategically to withstand high-speed winds that are characteristic of the resort. Two check dams for rain water harvesting had been proposed in zone IV. The vanasamrakshana samithi which comprises 120 families is in charge of providing visitors with the facilities.

 

(The Hindu, 13^th   May 2007)