Tree-top guest houses a hit with Kovai tourists

 All roads now lead to Kovai Courtallam as tourists get a different experience altogether enjoying nature from treetops amidst forest environment. Thanks to forest department’s eco-tourism initiative.Interestingly, Kovai Courtallam got a facelift at a time when developmental work was going on in full swing for the World Classical Tamil conference. And the forest department as part of a drive to attract tourists launched the ‘Treetop guest houses’.“This has received immense response from the tourists even from far off places as they are exposed to nature’s bounty in the forest surroundings,” District Forest Officer I Anwaruddin said. The project is aimed at making the people experience the forest environment thereby helping the department in its conservation exercise.Shedding more light on it, Anwaruddin said this innovative project is being implemented with the active participation of tribal population living in the vicinity. To be precise, the idea behind the eco-tourism project is to reduce tribals dependency on forest wealth.LCS Srikanth, Range Forest Officer, Social Forestry, who takes care of eco-tourism said that two houses on tree-tops besides two guest houses constructed at ground level is now turning as a tourist attraction as houses are booked well in advance.  He said the 10x10 sq.ft single room atop the tree-top with 6x5 sq.ft cot having an attached toilet is being offered at a charge of `2000 for 24 hours. And the guest houses have been provided with air-condition facility. Canteens are run by tribals near the tree-top houses for the convenience of the tourists. The guest houses are let on rent only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Anwaruddin said the entire proceeds from ‘Tree-top houses’ goes to the kitty of tribal welfare fund.