Keeping the ‘Green Hills’ truly green

An eco-toursim model allows tourists to explore the wilderness of Tamil Nadu's Pachaimalai hills and locals to have a stake in protecting them

The ‘Pachaimalai’ hill range located in Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu mean ‘Green Hills’ in English. These are unexplored areas of the Eastern Ghats, covered with dry evergreen and dry deciduous forests.

The concept of eco-tourism introduced in recent years by the forest department, involving the local forest stake-holders is advantageous not only for the residents but also for the biodiversity of the entire hill range.

The deteriorating pristine environment of the Pachaimalai hills due to unregulated tourism can be protected only if local people realise the importance of clean environment and cooperate with the forest department.