“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Lazy Sunday mornings with an ice cream sundae on the beach, sipping hot tea on a hill resort with an eco-tourism city view or letting loose with some booze in a nightclub. Notice what’s common in all these scenarios? They all give off ‘the perfect vacation’ vibe, don’t they? 

Touring around a new place can help you catch a break from your 9 to 5 but all that glitters is not gold. Because it’s so much fun, most of us neglect the negative effect that travelling and tourism have on the environment. 

Did you know? Hotels and resorts account for 84–2,000 litres of water per day, per tourist. With pre-existing environmental problems, these numbers pose alarming consequences. This is where Eco tourism comes into the picture. This blog talks about how you can travel more sustainably and why you should opt for eco-tourism in Kodai.

What is Eco-Tourism? 

The word is derived from ‘Ecosystem’ and ‘Tourism’. Ecotourism is a type of travel that aims to have as little of an impact on nature as possible, is environmentally conscious, and avoids the drawbacks of many large-scale travel ventures made in previously undeveloped regions.

As a tourist, you may have high expectations from any city that is glorified to be the ‘perfect vacation spot’. This closely links to the commercialization of tourist destinations to meet the high standards set by the tourism industry. 

These ‘high standards’ are met at a heavy cost to the natural resources. Tourism greatly contributes to Greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, pollution (of all types), habitat loss and waste problems. The immense and reckless usage of resources like water and land also reduces their availability for the local population, causing them distress. 

Eco-tourism is a budding alternative; greener and cleaner. In sum, it includes two major objectives: it preserves the environment and supports local people. 

How is it Different? 

UNWTO describes ecotourism as a kind of niche tourism.

•  It emphasises learning, appreciating and observing nature in its pristine form. 
• Ecotourism is usually practised in places with forests and landscapes, like The Princess of Hills, Kodaikanal. 
• Moreover, it helps generate money for conservation and employment opportunities for locals. 
• Recreational activities include nature-friendly adventures like trekking, boating, wildlife sanctuaries, understanding tribal culture and more. 

Tourism, on the other hand, does not centre around the environment and its protection. It involves travelling for leisure/fun or business reasons. It makes use of commercial provisions such as aeroplane, entertainment or services of a tourism agency.  

Eco-Tourism Hotspots in India

Let’s be honest, we could all use a break from the daily hustle-bustle of city life. It can be exhausting and sometimes all you need is to be amidst greenery, breathing the fresh air and hearing the birds chirp. Luckily, India has ample eco-friendly spots that are worth exploring. Here are some of them: 

Kerala

• Tea plantations and charming villages 
• Munnar- Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty, Tea Museum, Anamudi Peak
• Konni- elephant rides, safari 
• Periyar Tiger Reserves

Kodaikanal

• Kodai Lake, Berijam Lake
• Waterfalls
• Coaker’s walk
• Guna Caves
• Dolphin Nose

Assam

• Kaziranga National Park
• Tai Phake Ecotourism Camp (Naharkatia)
• Manas National Park
• Majuli (largest river island in India)

West Bengal

• Sundarban National Park
• Tinchuly Village
• Lamahatta 

Ladakh

• Pangong Lake 
• Laddakh Valley
• Ancient Monasteries 

Eco-tourism in Kodai

Let’s dive deeper and learn how to be an ecotourist and make the most out of eco-tourism in Kodai. 

Kodai Lake

One of the major tourist attractions, this lake is 6km long and is a popular place for boating and bicycle trips. This makes it super eco-friendly as you’re straying away from fuel, thus preventing air pollution. On a lucky day, you may even see some rare species of flora around this star-shaped lake.

Waterfalls

Although Kodaikanal is abundant in waterfalls, Silver Cascade, Bear Shola Fall and Thalaiyar falls are three important waterfalls that are a must-visit. It’s a beautiful scene to see the waterfalls zig-zagging through the rocks and gushing down into a foamy pool. Feel free to take a dip in the freshwaters and make the best out of Kodaikanal. 

Coaker’s Walk

Lieutenant Coaker built Coaker’s Walk in the year 1972. It’s a paved route measuring 1 kilometre long. Many visitors come here for walks in the morning and evening or to get a glimpse of the beautiful sunset or sunrise. You get a view of the hills, plateaus, and rivers as well. You can enjoy bhel and sliced masala mangoes that are sold by vendors on the path. Now, this is ecotourism at its best!

Berijam Lake

The lake is older than 150 years since Sir Vere Henry Levinge, a Madurai collector, created it in 1863. It is perfect for couples, oldies, kids and adults. Tourists love to spend their time fishing, safari touring and bird watching near this lake. It also houses a variety of wildlife, including deer, bison, Indian elephants, and Nilgiri langurs. If you’re lucky, you could even get to see one of these magnificent animals up close.

Guna Caves

If you have the guts for a daring adventure, Guna caves will be a thrilling experience. Also known as the Devil’s Kitchen, the cave is formed by rocks of fascinating shapes and has dark chambers. One thing for sure is you wouldn’t be the only visitor in the Guna caves as it is also home to several bats! 

Neelakurinji Flowers

It would be unfair to talk about Kodaikanal and not mention its glorious Kurinji flowers. These purple beauties blossom once in 12 years and are a sight for sore eyes. During the blooming season, the Kurinjis envelope the Western Ghats in a purple carpet. This is what gives the Nilgiri Hills its name. Whenever you’re in Kodaikanal, keep an eye out for these one-of-a-kind flowers.

How to be an Eco-Tourist in Kodai? 

Change can be difficult, however, it’s worth it when you know your actions contribute to the greater good. We’ve discussed some tips that you can use for your next travel trip to make it more eco-friendly and bring you closer to mother nature. 

Purchase Local Items

We all love to buy souvenirs to make a wonderful vacation a permanent part of our memory. Every place has unique handicraft and culture. And nothing captures that essence more flawlessly than handmade items like Kodai chocolates, spices and essential oils. When you buy something from local shops, you’re promoting authenticity while also benefitting the community. 

Practise No Littering

Surveys have shown that tourists might generate up to twice as much rubbish as locals in some areas. As a mindful tourist, it’s in your hands to dispose of your garbage appropriately to prevent landfills and overflow of sewage. 

Use Public Transport

Trains and buses are the most common and efficient means of public transport. What makes Kodaikanal so special is that you can explore all the tourist destinations on a bicycle or by walking. You’re hitting two birds with one stone when you travel this way- you’re neither producing CO2 nor missing out on the scenic views of Kodaikanal. 

Conclusion

Kodaikanal’s magnificent splendour never fails to mesmerise visitors with its combination of densely forested jungles, undulating hill slopes, flowing rivers, cascading waterfalls, and lush green valleys. Experience Kodaikanal in a new way through eco-tourism.  

Fruit is nature’s candy.

anonymous

Winter months are around the corner and while hot chocolate on cold mornings might be the first image that pops in your head when you think of winters, let’s not forget about the delicious fruits that this season brings along. Thinking about oranges, guava, kiwi and grapes have got our mouth watering already! 

How is this relevant to Kodaikanal? Well, if you consider yourself a travel enthusiast, it’s essential to go beyond the scenic beauty of a place to have a wholesome trip. We’re sure you’ve heard and read a lot about Kodai Lake, the waterfalls and the homemade chocolates of Kodaikanal. But what you might not know is that this town is also popular for its wide variety of fresh fruit orchards. In fact, Fruits occupy 28.5% of the total horticulture crop area (102284 Hectares) in the Dindigul District of Kodaikanal!  

Additionally, a variety of therapeutic flowers are grown too. In markets across the state, lovely flowers including Madonna, Datura, Dahila, Lily, and many others are sold. The Kodaikanal region is abundant in trees including pine, eucalyptus, wattles, deodars, and several unidentified species.

In this blog, we intend to introduce you to a new aspect of Kodaikanal, the fruit orchards that bear the freshest and juiciest fruits in the South!

What is Fruit Orchards?

A piece of land where fruit trees are planted is called an orchard. Fruit is traditionally grown in orchards. Traditional orchards grow tall trees of various ages and types, as opposed to low-fruit farms. The use of artificial fertilisers or preservatives is avoided in the maintenance of Traditional orchards.

Any items centred on fruit-producing plants are included in Fruit Orchards. Apples, dates, olives, plums, pears, and many other foods are common choices. Citrus fruits, such as those comprising lemon, orange, or lime, can be grown individually in tiny establishments or collectively in larger citrus orchards. Typically, plantations that produce fruit-bearing bushes do not fit under this group. Berries and other non-tree fruits are among them.

Fruit Production in Kodai

Although Kodaikanal’s economy largely relies on the tourism sector, agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy.

Agriculture in Kodaikanal includes the production of a variety of fruits and vegetables in addition to its abundant coffee plantations. Fruit orchards of Kodai are well-known. Fruits including pears, Kodai oranges, peaches, grapes, plums, and others are abundantly grown in the orchards of Kodaikanal. It’s one of the state’s biggest potato producers. Due to their exceptional quality and freshness, Kodai fruits and vegetables are in high demand.

Old fruit species are particularly resistant to illnesses and pests. Regional differences in fruit varietals are possible. Some species may only be found in a few communities, or in what is known as “local variants.”

Producing the maximum yields of high-quality fruit is the fundamental goal of contemporary fruit cultivation. This is possible if one is knowledgeable about the field. Thanks to easier trade chains, most of your favourite fruits have an all-year-round availability. 

Kodai Fruits

Although Kodaikanal is a hub of top-quality fruits and vegetables, some specialities are worth tasting and purchasing from Kodai. Here are the special fruits of Kodaikanal: 

Avocado Pear

Did you know that avocados are widely grown throughout India, especially in the Palnis region? At the height of the season, they are available at the Sunday market for Rs. 50 per kg and are known locally as Butter fruit. However, they can be bought for a little bit more money during the week at vegetable carts positioned around the lake.

Raspberry

Due to the spike-covered shrub, many people fail to notice the luscious fruit. On walks, you would adore gathering berries. You only need to keep an eye out to find the plants bearing these delectable fruits because they are so widespread in the Kodaikanal region. Although the dark orange ones can be eaten, the sweetest ones are a faint shade of purple.

Pink Passionflower

The flowers that hang down from trees (this is a climber) are lovely, but if they aren’t kept in check, they swiftly take over bushes and trees. The fruit is edible and looks like passion fruit on the inside- flavourful seeds with jelly around it. 

Country Pear

They’re high in water content but might be as flavorful as you expect them to be. They are primarily used locally to make jams and pastries. Country Pears were first planted in Shenbaganur by Mr Tapp (from Tapps Corner), who brought them to Palni Hills.

Orange

Orange is one of India’s most significant agricultural products, particularly in Nagpur and Coorg. India is the third-largest producer of oranges in the world, behind China and Brazil. 

Kodai Orange

In terms of volume, oranges are India’s third-largest crop, behind bananas and mangoes. India comes in third place globally for orange production according to data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in 2010, just after Brazil and the United States.  

Fun fact: These three nations collectively produce 68 million tonnes or little under half of the global production. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, France, the UK, and the United Kingdom are among the nations that import delicious oranges from India. 

Orange Season

The orange season in the nation varies by area. Orange season lasts from December to February in the north while it lasts from October through March in the South. The seasons in central and western India are November through January and March through May. Coorg Orange and Kodai Orange are two of the most popular varieties of Orange in the South and November–December is the planting period. 

Climate and Soil 

It is a subtropical crop that is grown 500–1500 metres above mean sea level. It takes between 150 and 250 cm of rainfall. Mild winters and the absence of sweltering summer winds are ideal conditions. The best soils for cultivation are deep loamy soils with good drainage. Thus, Kodaikanal provides an ideal weather condition for the growth of Oranges with high rainfall and humidity. 

Kodai’s Fruit Orchards

Don’t worry, you won’t have to go out in the wild to hunt for the juiciest berries like in the olden times. Kodaikanal has a huge number of merchants and traders that sell fresh fruits at affordable rates. You can go out to the local Mandis or order online, based on your convenience. 

JR Fruits – Kodaikanal – Avocado Fruits – Avocado Sapling – Grafted Avocado Sapling- Passion Fruits

Address: J.Ravi Samuel, Pethuparai Pirivu, Perumal Malai Road, Post, Palani Rd, Kodaikanal

Time: Open 24 hrs

Description: Find a fresh yield of fruits for consumption or saplings if you’re interested in growing your home garden. 

OBJECT exotics and organic

Address: no 2, Kodaikanal Ghat Rd, opp. to ganaga compound lake, Kodaikanal

Time: Open 24 hrs

Description: A one-stop shop serving clients from the locality as well as other regions of the country. Known for its top-notch customer services along with plums, passionfruit and avocado. 

AMS FRUITS WHOLESALE SUPPLIERS

In-store shopping

Address: 6FXQ+PV4, Naidupuram, Kodaikanal

Time: Open 24/7

Description: One of the leading wholesale businesses in Kodaikanal. Apart from fresh fruits, they’re also known for their varied supermarkets that sell coconut, spices, etc. at wholesale rates.

Others 

Sunday Vegetable Market

Local Market

Address: Poet Tyagarajar Road, Kodaikanal 

Time: Closes at 6 pm

Description: The perfect place to find exotic and locally grown fruits and vegetables at reasonable rates. Right next to the vegetable stalls one can find meat and fish stalls as well. 

Indiamart

Online Store

Website: IndiaMART

Description: Best site for common and rare organic fruits from passionfruit, and Soursop fruit to hilltop bananas. It consists of verified suppliers so you know your product is of good quality.

Conclusion

Well now you know all there is to know about the fruits and Kodai oranges. A visit to one of the orchards in Kodaikanal would be a great experience for people who enjoy gardening and one can even take home saplings of organic fruits from here as souvenirs. But even if you’re not into all that and you’d much rather eat than wait for a plant to grow, this is still the right expedition for you. Now that artificially grown produce is taking over the market, you’ll find the taste of fresh fruits grown in Kodaikanal incomparable so make sure to add it to your list of ‘things to do in Kodaikanal’!