Eco-tourism infrastructure gets a boost with two more eco huts getting ready in Tamil Nadu's Pachamalai hills
The infrastructure enhancements have been carried out under the Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives (TANII) 2024-25 with an allocation of ₹1.1 crore.
Two eco huts have been constructed at Top Sengattupatti atop the Pachamalai as part of the department's ongoing eco-tourism infrastructure enhancement, said a senior official. The eco huts have been provided with double cots, a separate dining place, restroom, and a verandah for visitors to enjoy the verdant environment on the hills.
A British-era bungalow has been renovated as part of this initiative and made ready to accommodate tourists. The eco huts and the revamped British bungalow would be thrown open to the visitors soon, the official said.
A part of the Eastern ghats, the scenic Pachamalai, which comes under the Thuraiyur Forest Range, is endowed with thick forest areas, ridges and valleys. It is home to various animal and bird species besides butterflies. A study undertaken by the Forest Department in December 2024 recorded as many as 126 butterfly species and a healthy butterfly population in the hill region. The hilly terrain has the popular Koraiyar and Mangalam waterfalls besides dedicated trekking routes at Sholamathi, Kalaimman Koil, and Kuthirai Paathai for the trekkers and adventure lovers.
Amenities at waterfalls
The officials said bathing facilities had been improved at the Koraiyar falls. This includes construction of safe access steps and provision of safety rails for secure bathing in the stream. Safety measures have also been put in place at Mangalam falls. All these developments complement the existing two tree top accommodations which were established in 2015 to promote eco-tourism at Pachamalai.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Guided walks to help you discoverhidden wonders of Bengaluru's Cubbon Park
Bengaluru: Come Sunday, visitors can discover the verdant Cubbon Park with a fresh perspective with the launch of Cubbon Walks. The new series of guided nature walks, launched Wednesday, is similar to the one conducted in Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. During the 90-minute guided walks, to be held every Saturday and Sunday from 7:30am to 9am, visitors will be taken around the park uncovering the hidden biodiversity and ecological stories tucked behind the more familiar colonial structures and statues that dot the green landscape. The walks, a joint initiative of the horticulture department, The Naturalist School (TNS) and Bangalore Walks, invite people of all ages to experience the park as a living museum of nature. Led by trained guides, the walks aim to reveal unknown details even regular visitors might have overlooked in Sri Chamarajendra Park, as the green space is officially known. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Tickets are priced at Rs 200 for adults and Rs 50 for those aged 10–17 years, while children below 10 years can join for free accompanied by an adult. Participants will walk through scenic paths while learning about heritage trees, native and exotic plant species introduced during the British era, rare birds, and curious insects. With stories rooted in history and ecology, the walks promise a deeper appreciation of the park's layered natural heritage that has evolved with the changing times. Deputy director of horticulture (Cubbon Park) Kusuma G said, "We have taken up the initiative to let people understand the uniqueness and importance of Cubbon Park and to protect the park at the same time. The more people understand the history, the more they protect this green space." Naturalist School founder Priya Venkatesh said: "Cubbon Walks offers a chance to discover hidden gems and fascinating stories and offers a chance to connect with nature. " Arun Pai, founder of Bangalore Walks, explained, "The walk has something for everyone... If you're curious and want to discover something remarkable in the heart of Bengaluru, you must join the walk." Ashish Patel, from TNS said, "It's not just about knowing facts—once people get to know the stories behind the trees, the ants, or even the termites in the park, their perspectives change. You may forget the exact details, but you walk away with a deeper connection. Whenever there is an attempt to replace greenery with concrete, people are more likely to stand up and say, 'Let's not do this'." Visitors can join the walks by booking online at or by emailing horticulturecubbon@
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
UK retailers demand return of tax-free shopping for tourists
UK retailers are renewing efforts to persuade Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves to bring back tax-free shopping for tourists , as the government prepares to set out its plan to boost the so-called visitor economy. Making purchases exempt from VAT could result in £3.65 billion ($4.9 billion) of additional spending by visitors from the European Union, the Association of International Retail said in a submission to ministers published Tuesday. That's on top of about £1.5 billion of spending by non-EU visitors the lobby group said was diverted from the UK when it scrapped tax-free shopping in 2021. The report sent to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is the latest salvo in a long tussle between retailers and the government. Then Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak used the UK's exit from the EU as a chance to end a system that let travelers reclaim the 20 per cent VAT sales tax on their purchases. Since then, Conservative and Labour governments — with the exception of the short-lived administration of former Prime Minister Liz Truss — agreed with Sunak's assessment that the policy cost the Treasury more than it gained. Subsequent analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility backed that view. Reeves faces a fiscal shortfall heading into this year's autumn budget, after expensive U-turns on welfare cuts and amid reduced prospects for growth. That makes any change to her stance on tax-free shopping less likely, even as she faces calls to help companies after she raised payroll taxes this year. But British retailers argue they have lost out to countries like France and Spain that offer tax-free shopping to non-EU visitors, and have repeatedly put forward the argument that the Treasury is not taking into account the wider uplift in spending in considering the impact of the policy on the public coffers. Hundreds of retailers including Mulberry Group Plc, Fortnum & Mason Plc and John Lewis signed an open letter to Reeves last year calling for the government to reinstate the policy. According to the Association of International Retail, the UK would become the only country in Europe offering VAT rebates to 450 million EU consumers. It also cited figures showing visitor spending in the UK was 92 per cent of 2019 levels last year, compared with 106 per cent in Spain and 110 per cent in France.
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Camila Cabello and her billionaire boyfriend Henry Chalhoub can't keep their hands off each other in Ibiza. See pics
Popstar Camila Cabello is heating things up this summer and not just with her music. The I Luv It singer was spotted enjoying a romantic beachside getaway in Ibiza, Spain, with billionaire heir Henry Junior Chalhoub on 21 July. The couple appeared completely smitten, sharing several intimate moments during their sunny escape. Camila Cabello was seen in Ibiza with billionaire heir Henry Junior Chalhoub, marking her first major romance since Shawn Mendes. Camila and Henry pack on the PDA In photos from the trip, shared by Backgrid USA, Camila and Henry were seen locking lips on a seaweed-covered dock, with the singer leaning into her boyfriend for a steamy kiss. Later, they took their PDA into the water, staying close as they shared another passionate kiss while floating. The former Fifth Harmony star kept her beach look simple, sporting a classic black bikini. Chalhoub, meanwhile, showed off his toned physique in a pair of camouflage swim shorts. Ibiza continues to be a hot spot for celebrities this summer. Earlier in July, Kate Hudson and Dakota Johnson were also seen vacationing together in the same area, enjoying time on a yacht. Camilla and Henry's relationship timeline Camila Cabello and Henry Junior Chalhoub were first romantically linked in August 2024, when they were spotted vacationing together in Ibiza. Their relationship gained public attention in November 2024 after they attended an Elie Saab afterparty in Saudi Arabia. In January 2025, the couple confirmed their romance with a PDA-filled getaway in St. Barts, where they were photographed kissing and holding hands. Since then, they've been seen together at several international events and luxury vacations, fueling speculation about the seriousness of their relationship. Henry, an heir to a Middle Eastern luxury retail empire, appears to be Camila's first major romance post-Shawn Mendes. Camila's past relationships Cabello's romance with Chalhoub marks a new chapter in her love life. The singer has previously been linked to British life coach Matthew Hussey, but her most publicised relationship was with pop star Shawn Mendes. The pair began dating in 2019 and were known for their on-again, off-again dynamic before ultimately parting ways in November 2021.
