Tue Jan 21 16:34:42 UTC 2025: **Coimbatore Tourism Plans Spark Wildlife Concerns**
COIMBATORE, INDIA – January 21, 2025 – Proposed tourism development projects in Coimbatore district’s reserve forests have sparked concerns among conservationists, who warn of potential harm to local wildlife, particularly elephants.
Following a visit by Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister R. Rajendran to assess tourism facilities and development prospects in Kovai Courtallam, Vellingiri Andavar temple, and Baralikadu, plans to develop Kovai Courtallam as an adventure tourism destination were announced. However, conservationists argue that further development in this area, within the Boluvampatti forest range, will negatively impact elephant populations. They cite the area’s crucial role as a habitat and the already high tourist traffic.
Similar concerns have been raised about planned developments along the Bhavani River at Baralikadu and Poochamarathur in the Karamadai range. Conservationists say these areas are vital elephant corridors, used for migration between Kerala and Sathyamangalam. Increased human activity, they warn, will disrupt elephant movement, potentially exacerbating human-elephant conflict already prevalent in the Periyanaickenpalayam range.
The increased human presence at the Velliangiri foothills is also causing elephants to stray into nearby villages in search of food. Biologists emphasize the limited forest resources due to invasive species and urge that any further development in critical elephant habitats be halted. They highlight the importance of the foothills as elephant corridors within the Coimbatore Forest Division.
First Piper 