Ooty hopes for cleaner, open spaces

UDHAGAMANDALAM: With the tension and anxiety of election results far behind him, M Buddhi Chandran, first time MLA and Tamil Nadu tourism minister, hailing from Ooty, takes on the responsibility of improving and encouraging tourism in the state.
His top priority will be to clean up his home town Ooty, a world famous destination for vacationers. The main attractions in the town are littered with plastic and other wastes.Concerned authorities seem to be indifferent to the issue. Tourist spots including Doddabetta, the highest peak in the south, the boat house and shooting spot are littered with garbage.
K Chandrasekar, Secretary, Nilgiri Hotelier's Association, told TOI, "We welcome the ministerial post allotted to our constituency MLA. However, for a first time minister, he has several responsibilities. First off, he needs to ensure clean-up of the town which is in a mess".
"Before promoting eco-tourism, the tourism department should increase awareness about it. The department generates considerable revenue through entry tickets at the boat house. At least, 10% of the revenue could be allotted towards the maintenance of the lake," said A C Soundararajan, an active environmentalist and wildlife activist.
He says, the need of the hour is to clean up all the tourist spots in the Nilgiris. "The tourism department should play a vital role in keeping the hill town including tourist spots clean," he stressed.
The ninth mile (Shooting Spot), a scenic location located at the ninth mile from Ooty, on the Ooty-Mysore Road, belongs to the forest department. Visitors have access to the area, using it mostly to eat, disposing off garbage indiscriminately. Horse riding is prohibited here but it still continuing. "It is no secret that pony riding is conducted at Shooting Spot. However, forest officials choose to turn a blind eye to it," said the wildlife activist.
"Adequate parking space within town limits is another issue that needs to be resolved. While it is a small town, the inflow of tourists keeps increasing on a yearly basis. Thus, providing parking space is very important," said Chandrasekar. Local police say that during peak season, at least 5,000 vehicles enter the town.
According to officials, a bow bridge across the lake would boost tourism. Introducing cable cars, with Dodabetta as the starting point, will also be a crowd puller.
"Effort should be made to preserve the town heritage. The district clock tower should be restored. Heritage boards should be displayed in appropriate places, both in Tamil and English, so that visitors have access to the history and heritage of the town," said Geetha Srinivasan, vice-president, INTACH, Nilgiri chapter.
"The government should take a holistic view on architectural, natural and tribal heritage. Old Badaga villages should be preserved, as many of these areas are being modernised. These villages should also be declared as part of the town's heritage," Geetha added. The Badaga community is the predominant community dwelling in over 320 villages in the hill district.