Models of animals, cartoon characters cynosure at 10-day Kodai Vizha

Amidst scores of tourists at Bryant Park in Kodaikanal, the ten-day ‘Kodai Vizha’ and the three-day flower show jointly organised by the Tourism and Horticulture departments were inaugurated by Ministers Dindigul C Seenivasan (Forest), R Doraikannu (Agriculture) and Vellamandi N Natarajan (Tourism) in the presence of Collector TG Vinay.

In a bid to attract the visitors, replicas of the Nandi (bull), parrot, giraffe, peacock, and cartoon characters have been formed using flowers of different varieties. Around 25,000 flowers comprising 200 species-including 50 exotic species-were used to form these replicas, K Narayanasamy, deputy director of Horticulture, Kodaikanal, said. He added that loads of flowers were brought from the government horticulture farm in Thali, Hosur for creating the replicas.

After inauguration, Minister Seenivasan said in order to decongest Kodaikanal, where the inflow of tourists is on the rise every year, a multi-layered parking lot would be established. Work would commence once the government approves the project, he added.

Kodaikanal, which is known as the ‘princess of hill stations’ attracts a large number of tourists, with an influx of 65 lakh during 2016, 68 lakh during 2017 and 75 lakh in 2018.

Minister Seenivasan further said that in order to enhance green cover, one lakh saplings of silver oak and medicinal herbs are being planted in different parts of the hill station. The Forest department has also deputed special teams to monitor and end human and wildlife conflict, he added.

With regard to ‘Kodai Vizha’, a lot is promised to be in store for the visitors. Cultural programmes such as folk dance, stage performances on traditional art and culture and musical orchestra are being organised in the park, Kodaikanal Tourism Officer Umadevi said. These events are scheduled from 10 am to 5 pm throughout the ten-day schedule. Sports activities would also be held, she added.