Developments of Tourist Spots of Nilambur into an International Destination

Nilambur is also well known as the Land of Teak Plantations. It is a chief town located in the Malappuram district of Kerala. This beautiful place occupies an exceptional position in the history of Malabar with its dense wide forest, natural splendour, extraordinary wildlife, attractive water bodies, royal residencies and a lively colonial past. 

The place is located on the bank of river Chaliyar which is close to Nilagiri ranges of Western Ghats. The region is one of the chief diverse and striking locations in India with uncharted secrets. Nilambur is also known for its tribal settlement.

The Teak plantations of this town is named after H.V. Conolly, who was the Malabar District Collector during the British rule and  was influential in planting teak in the entire Nilambur region. Chathu Mennon, a forest officer who worked under Conolloy, structured the frantic task of planting the saplings of teak. Menon was cremated in the teak garden in Conolly’s Plot.

The place experiences temperate climatic conditions and since it is located near the Western Ghats, Nilambur gets good amount of rainfall during the monsoon season. Summer is hot and might be a bit uncomfortable for the visitors. The winter season is the appropriate time to visit the place as climate is mild and comfortable during this period.

Very soon, this place will be transformed into an international ecotourism destination. The government has focussed on preparing a complete master plan for the upliftment of all the chief tourist spots in Nilambur, as part of its ecotourism programme in the region.  Around Rs 41 crore has been authorized for the preparation of this exclusive scheme.

As for the Nilambur municipal chairman Aryadan Shoukath, the scheme would be prepared by an internationally celebrated organization.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had inaugurated the ecotourism programme in February 2012. This project was designed to connect the forest area from Thusharagiri to Perinthalmanna with neighbouring tourist spots, thus investing on the tourism potentiality of the district by adding greenery to tourist facilities. 

However, since then only a few progressive works have been carried out. The chief Minister said, “By linking all tourism centres in the region with a view to attract foreign tourists as well as visitors from the other states of the country, we are planning a multi-crore assignment as part of the proposal.”

The project aims to developmajor tourist spots of Nilambur such as Oli Waterfalls, Adyanpara Waterfalls, Kozhippara Waterfalls, Keralamkundu Waterfalls, DFO Bungalow, Teak Museum, Kanoli Plot, Valluvassery Central Nursery, Nadukani Ghat stretch, T K Colony and Poothottam Kadavu.

Shoukath stated, “We will give exceptional focus on tribal culture and racial food varities of Eranad while carrying out the scheme, so as to make Nilambur a chief tourist destination in India”.

The project also envisions reconstructing Vadapuram Town Square at a cost of Rs 1 crore. The project also includes building of viewpoints for tourists at Canoli Plot. It also envisages repairing 11 rooms of the Woodline Industries positioned against the Canoli Plot for the use of tourist accommodation.

The DFO Bungalow situated at the place and the bio park at the Teak Museum will also be reconditioned. After all the major points of the scheme, the scheme chalks out the development of the elephant safari and the screening of documentaries about elephant at Nedumkayam as well.