The state tourism department is in the process of setting up Garden of Flowers at Devala in the Nilgiris and Nandavanam Heritage Park at Mamallapuram with the INR 170 crore allocated by the Union tourism ministry under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure scheme.
While 70 crore would be used to set up the Garden of Flowers at Devala, the remaining INR 100 crore would be spent on the Nandavanam Heritage Park at Mamallapuram.
B Chandramohan, principal secretary, tourism and culture, said the Garden of Flowers at Devala would showcase the floral diversity of the hill region. “It will also provide an ecotourism experience.”
According to him, the garden would come up on 100 acres at the state horticulture farm at Devala. “We are in the process of getting required approvals and float a tender. It will take at least two months to complete the procedural formalities. The garden will feature different kinds of flowering trees and plants.”
He said Devala could be developed into some kind of Counter Magnet Area to decongest Ooty. “Devala is situated at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. People coming to Mudumalai could easily access the Garden of Flowers.”
It is for the first time that the heritage building of Rashtrapati Nilayam is open to the general public. Earlier, people could visit only the gardens of Nilayam once a year for a limited period. The Rashtrapati Nilayam will open for the general public throughout the year, except during the President’s Southern sojourn.
The garden would boost the tourism infra at Devala. “A small lake, bridge, viewpoints, kiosks and food courts will come up in the area to make it an independent attraction.”The Nandavanam Heritage Park at Mamallapuram would, meanwhile, come up on 211 acres. “It will feature replicas of famous TN temples. The park would also house tree species associated with famous temples,” said Chandramohan.
To be developed on the East Coast Road, further down from the shore temple, the heritage park would also have an open arena for people to perform.
