2 days ago
Viral social media post attracts scores of tourists to Koomapatti
After a video clipping on serene surroundings of Koomapatti and Pilavakkal dam along Western Ghats by a youth went viral, tourists from far and near have started to flock the region in search of scenic tourist spot.
However, they were only disappointed as they were not allowed by the officials of the Forest Department and Water Resources Department into the park along Pilavakkal Periyar dam.
'The park has remained out of bounds for people for several months after few youths died due to drowning in the dam,' said K. Balakumar, 43, of Koomapatti.
He said that the region on the foothills of Western Ghats have good potential for tourism exploitation with green mountains, salabrious water flow, a sweet water 'sunai' and a huge water spread area of the Pilavakkal dam.
But, since these areas, as shown in the video clipping, fall under Reserve Forest area, outsiders are not allowed by the Forest Department officials.
He also revealed that the picturesque view of the mountainous area and the clear water spread area could be reached only through stealth trekking for few kilometres.
'If Forest officials come up with some eco tourism programme, it will be a big hit among nature lovers,' he added.
Even the park has been closed as wild animals like elephant, wild boars, deer, fox frequently roam around,' he added.
Koomapatti which falls under S. Kodikulam Town panchayat has sprawling areas of paddy fields and a score of waterbodies that would give a typical rural setting and major attraction for tourists.
Out-going Virudhunagar Collector V.P. Jeyaseelan, who visited Koomapatti area on Thursday, in his social media post, said that nature was at its best in the region and was suitable for development of rural tourism.
