TN rolls out three new hotspots for camping, glamping

Chennai: With overcrowding and unregulated growth straining Tamil Nadu's popular hill stations, the state has begun redrawing its tourism map. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has rolled out projects to introduce organized camping and glamping facilities across three hill destinations—Jawadhu Hills, Vathalmalai, Kolli hills and Yelagiri. However private operators point out that without proper co-ordination with other depts, especially forest, these projects won't take off.The initiatives signal a shift from large hotels towards low-impact, experience-driven tourism. Jawadhu Hills, known more to trekkers and local communities than mainstream tourists, is set to get its first organized glamping facility spread over about 7.65acres. TTDC has laid basic infra and wants a private operator to step in with luxury and safari tents, domes and prefabricated cottages.
"Now the forest dept has camping sites. They have developed accommodation near the lake. The private operator will have to set 10 accommodation units with a restaurant, reception is being planned. Approximately 1,000 people come to Jawadhu malai every month," said an official from Tiruvannamalai district.A similar approach is being considered at Vathalmalai in Dharmapuri district. The scenic plateau that has remained largely off the tourism radar, will get a camping site spanning about 6.1acres and will have tents and eco-cottages supported by basic amenities. "We have already constructed the restaurant. It is a hill station and has waterfalls, tribal settlements and we have proposed trekking. We have requested the forest department for a route," said an official from Dharamapuri district.Tourism officials say the idea is not to replicate Ooty or Kodaikanal, but to offer quieter, nature-based alternatives. "Till date we were stuck with age-old destinations. If executed as planned, the projects will be a step towards developing new hill destinations. But these projects should not be dropped midway," said N Ravi, former tourism department official.Meanwhile, Richard Harris, who has been trying to start a campsite in Tiruvallur for the past five years, said that starting a tourism venture is not possible unless there is coordination between various departments."My project is stuck as different departments are not cooperating. The district tourism promotion committee should become functional," he said.

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