Ecotourism may be defined as nature-based tourism that is educative and ensures the suitable use of environmental resources, while producing viable economic opportunities for the host communities.
Tamil nadu’s geographical diversity provides wealth of eco tourisms that potentially support
Eco tourism activities. These include biosphere reserves, mangroves, coral reefs, deserts, mountain and forests, flora and fauna, seas, lakes, rivers and caves. The State is, situated in the southern part of the Indian Peninsula has over 20 centuries of cultural heritage and historic significance. The foremost of attractions in the state are its impressive temples, which are true edifices of a great and ancient culture vibrant and lively even today. Next only to the pilgrimage and heritage locations in Tamil Nadu comes the scenic beauty of nature in and around the state in the form of forests, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations and the long bio-diverse coastline. These locations provide immense opportunities for sightseeing, pleasure and leisure, to the visitors of various categories including adventure tourists.
The preparation of a perspective tourism plan for the state of Tamil Nadu, assigned by the Department of Tourism, Government of India, has been to identify development aspects of the tourism industry in the state for a long term perspective and produce a meaningful plan report covering all facets of the state tourism so that later on a perspective tourism plan at the country level can be prepared. There is a host of projects that have been identified at various destinations – already popular destinations as well as the potential ones across the state, so as to offer the tourists more facilities and support their arrival and stay in a much better way. The sheer diversity of landscape found in Tamil Nadu, and its range of animal and plant life, makes it a favorable destination for incentive groups wishing to experience something of the State’s natural wealth. There are several tourist destinations that attract eco-tourism in Tamilnadu namely Ooty, Yercadu, Yelagiri, Kodaikanal, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Velliangiri Hills.
The sheer diversity of landscape found in Tamil Nadu, and its range of animal and plant life, makes it a favorable destination for incentive groups wishing to experience something of the State’s natural wealth.
Top of the list is the Mudumalai Sanctuary. Situated among the hills, this wildlife reserve covers 321 square kilometres and shelters gaurs, deer, wild elephants, and langurs, and also predators such as tiger, leopard and the Asiatic wild dog (dhole).
The sky-bound population includes the Hornbills, the Great Black Woodpecker with its red crest, Mynahs, Barbets, Parakeets, Tiny-Eared Owl, Scops Owl; and majestic birds such as the Crested Hawk Eagle and the Crested Serpent Eagle.
Nearby to Mudumalai is the Annamalai Sanctuary. This famous wildlife sanctuary is the home for gaur, tigers, panthers, elephants, spotted deer, bears, and a variety of birds. The sanctuary, recently renamed as the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, is on the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and is famous for its spectacular scenery and diverse range of flora and fauna. Treks can take place on foot, or by jeep. The best time to visit the reserves is between February and June.
Tamil Nadu is also home to the National Deer Park and is the only place in the world where one can still find a sizeable number of the endangered species of Indian antelope (the Black Buck). The Deer Park, along with the fascinating Madras Snake Park, is supported by the Worldwide Fund for Nature, and both are located in the Raj Bhavan premises, at Guindy.premises, at Guindy.
Ninety kilometres Southeast of Thanjavur is the Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. Located near the Palk Straits, which separate India and Sri Lanka by a distance of 28 kilometres, Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary is famous for its vast flocks of migratory water fowls such as flamingos, barbets, and mynahs during the spring season
The Nilgiris is the oldest and the second highest mountain range in India after the Himalayas and is part of the Western Ghats and the renowned Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Besides a splendid variety of wildlife such as the Nilgiri Tahr, mouse deer, barking deer, sambar, langur, flying squirrels, four-horned antelopes, and gaur an amazing variety of bird life is also present in the Reserve.
The Nilgiris is the most popular region in Tamil Nadu for the purpose of trekking. There are regular walking tours for the tourists with guides through the hills.
DETAILS OF SANCTUARIES AND NATIONAL PARKS IN TAMILNADU
S.No
Name of the Sanctuary
Name of the District
1
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
Nilgiris
2
Kalakkadu-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
Tirunelveli
3
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Kancheepuram
4
Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary
Nagapattinam
5
Guindy National Park
Chennai
6
Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
Coimbatore
7
Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary
Kanyakumari
8
Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary
Sivagangai
9
Mukkuruthi National Park
Nilgiris
10
Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary
Tiruvallur
11
Grizzled Giant Squirrel Sanctuary, Srivilliputhur
Virudhunagar
12
Karikili Birds Sanctuary
Kancheepuram
13
Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
Ramanathapuram
14
Vallanadu Black buck Sanctuary
Tuticorin
15
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and Biosphere Reserves
Gulf of Mannar, Tuticorin & Ramanathapuram
16
Udhayamathandapuram Birds Sanctuary
Thiruvarur
17
Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Chennai
18
Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
Perambalur
19
Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary
Thiruvarur
20
Chitranudi Bird Sanctuary
Ramanathapuram
21
Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
Tirunelveli
22
Vellode Bird Sanctuary
Erode
23
Melselvanur – Keelselvanur Bird Sanctuary
Ramanathapuram
24
Thirupadaimarudur Conservation Reserve
Tirunelveli
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Bird Sanctuary is famous for its vast flocks of migratory water fowls such as flamingos, barbets, and mynahs during the spring season