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>Sennecaster (https://web.archive.org/web/20070427220415/http://www.dindigul.tn.nic.in/KodaiTrek.htm - minor innapropriate quoting and some promo toning down) |
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|publisher=Geocities | |publisher=Geocities | ||
|access-date=2007-12-12 | |access-date=2007-12-12 | ||
|archive-url=https:// | |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021170309/http://geocities.com/deebbind/Kodai.htm | ||
|archive-date= | |archive-date=21 October 2009 | ||
|url-status=dead | |url-status=dead | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
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From 1948 through the 1960s the Tamil Nadu Forest Department planted large areas of [[Indigenous (ecology)|indigenous]] grasslands along the road with [[Acacia mearnsii|black wattle]] for producing [[Leather tanning|tanning agents]] for use in the leather industry.<ref>Ref/Donnelly, p.10</ref> [[Eucalyptus globulus|blue gum]] (eucalyptus) and [[Mexican weeping pine]] were planted in order to provide a reliable alternative firewood supply to protect the native shola forests from cutting for firewood. The 1973 vegetation map shows these [[Introduced species|imported tree species]] already taking over the grasslands around the road.<ref name="bellan">{{cite web|url=http://eusoils.jrc.it/esdb_archive/EuDASM/asia/images/maps/download/in3005_ve.jpg|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110807170704/http://eusoils.jrc.it/esdb_archive/EuDASM/asia/images/maps/download/in3005_ve.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-08-07|title=Palni Hills Vegetation Map|last=Bellan|first=M.F.|year=1980|publisher=Institut de la Carte Internationale du Tapis Végétal|language=french|access-date=2009-10-24|location=Toulouse, France}}</ref> A detailed dynamic map of 2002 vegetation shows distribution of various plantation species that have replaced most of the grasslands and native evergreen forests.<ref name="IFP">{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpindia.org/cartoweb3/htdocs/southIndia_map_5.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415015228/http://www.ifpindia.org/cartoweb3/htdocs/southIndia_map_5.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-15 |title=Vegetation Map of South India – Map 5: Coimbatore – Thrissur. |author=Ramesh, B. R., de Franceschi, D. & Pascal, J.-P. |year=2002 |work=Douard, P., Champlong, G., Georget, S., Muthusankar, G., Borne, F. 2008. Geomatics and Applied Informatics Laboratory |publisher=French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP) |access-date=2009-10-30 |location=Pondicherry }}</ref> Another 2002 map of Palni Hills, showing distribution of wattle plantations, also shows wattle dominating the route of the Kodaikanal Munnar Road.<ref name="Haripriya"/> Exotic forests now cover over 80% of the area which was previously covered by Grasslands.<ref>Donnelly, p.41</ref> These [[non-native species]] now dominate thousands of acres once dominated by native grasses.<ref name="Noble">{{cite book|last=Noble|first=William A.|title=Cultural geography, form and process: essays in honour of Prof. A.B. Mukerji |editor=Neelam Grover, Kashi Nath Singh|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|location=New Delhi|year=2004|pages=418|chapter=THE NILGIRIS OF TAMIL NADU, INDIA, AS A DISTINCTIVE UPLAND ISLAND WA NOBLE |isbn=81-8069-074-1|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UO0M5P9h_qgC&q=kodaikanal+wattle+%22forest+department%22&pg=PA418}}</ref> | From 1948 through the 1960s the Tamil Nadu Forest Department planted large areas of [[Indigenous (ecology)|indigenous]] grasslands along the road with [[Acacia mearnsii|black wattle]] for producing [[Leather tanning|tanning agents]] for use in the leather industry.<ref>Ref/Donnelly, p.10</ref> [[Eucalyptus globulus|blue gum]] (eucalyptus) and [[Mexican weeping pine]] were planted in order to provide a reliable alternative firewood supply to protect the native shola forests from cutting for firewood. The 1973 vegetation map shows these [[Introduced species|imported tree species]] already taking over the grasslands around the road.<ref name="bellan">{{cite web|url=http://eusoils.jrc.it/esdb_archive/EuDASM/asia/images/maps/download/in3005_ve.jpg|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110807170704/http://eusoils.jrc.it/esdb_archive/EuDASM/asia/images/maps/download/in3005_ve.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-08-07|title=Palni Hills Vegetation Map|last=Bellan|first=M.F.|year=1980|publisher=Institut de la Carte Internationale du Tapis Végétal|language=french|access-date=2009-10-24|location=Toulouse, France}}</ref> A detailed dynamic map of 2002 vegetation shows distribution of various plantation species that have replaced most of the grasslands and native evergreen forests.<ref name="IFP">{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpindia.org/cartoweb3/htdocs/southIndia_map_5.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415015228/http://www.ifpindia.org/cartoweb3/htdocs/southIndia_map_5.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-15 |title=Vegetation Map of South India – Map 5: Coimbatore – Thrissur. |author=Ramesh, B. R., de Franceschi, D. & Pascal, J.-P. |year=2002 |work=Douard, P., Champlong, G., Georget, S., Muthusankar, G., Borne, F. 2008. Geomatics and Applied Informatics Laboratory |publisher=French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP) |access-date=2009-10-30 |location=Pondicherry }}</ref> Another 2002 map of Palni Hills, showing distribution of wattle plantations, also shows wattle dominating the route of the Kodaikanal Munnar Road.<ref name="Haripriya"/> Exotic forests now cover over 80% of the area which was previously covered by Grasslands.<ref>Donnelly, p.41</ref> These [[non-native species]] now dominate thousands of acres once dominated by native grasses.<ref name="Noble">{{cite book|last=Noble|first=William A.|title=Cultural geography, form and process: essays in honour of Prof. A.B. Mukerji |editor=Neelam Grover, Kashi Nath Singh|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|location=New Delhi|year=2004|pages=418|chapter=THE NILGIRIS OF TAMIL NADU, INDIA, AS A DISTINCTIVE UPLAND ISLAND WA NOBLE |isbn=81-8069-074-1|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UO0M5P9h_qgC&q=kodaikanal+wattle+%22forest+department%22&pg=PA418}}</ref> | ||
These extensive wattle plantations are sometimes blamed as the major cause of reduced soil moisture and stream flows across upper Palni catchments, though it is likely that reduced rainfall during the [[Monsoon#Mid-year|Southwest monsoon]] period, combined with a pattern of heavy downpours and longer dry spells between rain events in the non-monsoon months is also responsible. Wattle plantations in the upper Palanis seem to help regrowth of indigenous shola species and associated wildlife, and also reduce cutting of shola forests by providing superior fuel wood. It is probable that these old, non-productive plantations, that are slow-growing or partially invaded with native woody species, are similar to native forest in terms of water use.<ref name="Haripriya">{{cite journal|author1=Haripriya | These extensive wattle plantations are sometimes blamed as the major cause of reduced soil moisture and stream flows across upper Palni catchments, though it is likely that reduced rainfall during the [[Monsoon#Mid-year|Southwest monsoon]] period, combined with a pattern of heavy downpours and longer dry spells between rain events in the non-monsoon months is also responsible. Wattle plantations in the upper Palanis seem to help regrowth of indigenous shola species and associated wildlife, and also reduce cutting of shola forests by providing superior fuel wood. It is probable that these old, non-productive plantations, that are slow-growing or partially invaded with native woody species, are similar to native forest in terms of water use.<ref name="Haripriya">{{cite journal |author1=Rangan |first=Haripriya |last2=Kull |first2=Christian A. |last3=Alexander |first3=Lisa |author-link3=Lisa Alexander (earth scientist) |date=16 September 2009 |title=Forest plantations, water availability, and regional climate change: controversies surrounding Acacia mearnsii plantations in the upper Palnis Hills, southern India |url=https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/1b46da72afcf35a19374a09c077669276111bef3 |journal=Regional Environmental Change |location=Berlin / Heidelberg |publisher=Springer |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=103–117 |doi=10.1007/s10113-009-0098-4 |issn=1436-378X |s2cid=153542052}}</ref> | ||
==New route== | ==New route== | ||
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Though the old evacuation route is now impassable for vehicles, there remains a desire and need among farmers and tourists for a direct road link between Kodaikanal and Munnar.<ref name="roads"/> | Though the old evacuation route is now impassable for vehicles, there remains a desire and need among farmers and tourists for a direct road link between Kodaikanal and Munnar.<ref name="roads"/> | ||
The Kadaveri– | The Kadaveri– Kilavarai road is a horse trail used by farmers of Kadavari to take their products to Kodaikanal, via Kilavarai. It is possible but not practical to pass here by [[off-road vehicle]]. | ||
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sshinu.blogspot.com/2009/08/kodaikanal-different-approach-long-back.html|title=kodaikanal-different-approach-long-back|last=Shinu|first=S.|publisher=Blogspot|access-date=2009-09-10|date=27 August 2009}}</ref> Straight-line distance from Kadaveri to | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://sshinu.blogspot.com/2009/08/kodaikanal-different-approach-long-back.html|title=kodaikanal-different-approach-long-back|last=Shinu|first=S.|publisher=Blogspot|access-date=2009-09-10|date=27 August 2009}}</ref> Straight-line distance from Kadaveri to Kilavarai is {{convert|5.9|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}. The new route is {{convert|14.6|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}. | ||
This is the least improved section of a new Munnar–Kodaikanal Highway proposed by the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala Ltd. This highway would provide a direct road link between the two popular hill stations of Munnar and Kodaikanal. The proposed road connects [[Vattavada]] (near Munnar) and Kadavari at the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border. Length of the proposed Vattavada - Kadavari Road is {{convert|22.37|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} A {{convert|4.5|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} extension of the above road from Kadavari to | This is the least improved section of a new Munnar–Kodaikanal Highway proposed by the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala Ltd. This highway would provide a direct road link between the two popular hill stations of Munnar and Kodaikanal. The proposed road connects [[Vattavada]] (near Munnar) and Kadavari at the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border. Length of the proposed Vattavada - Kadavari Road is {{convert|22.37|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} A {{convert|4.5|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} extension of the above road from Kadavari to Kilavarai in Tamil Nadu is also proposed. | ||
The proposed road would reduce the travel distance between the two hill stations 41% from {{convert|198|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} (via Kodaikanal – [[Vilpatti|Perumal Malai]] – [[Mayiladum Parai]] – [[Mooliyaru]] – [[Oothu]] – [[Thalaiyar Falls|Falls View]] – [[Ganguvarpatti]] – [[State Highway 156 (Tamil Nadu)|Kodai Ghat Road]] – [[Periyakulam]] – [[Theni]] – [[Bodinayakkanur]] – [[Roads in Kerala#NH 49: Kochi - Madurai|Bodimettu]] – [[Devikulam]] – Munnar) to {{convert|116|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}, saving a driving distance of {{convert|82|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}. It would provide a reliable link between the unimproved and unconnected rural communities of Vattavada and | The proposed road would reduce the travel distance between the two hill stations 41% from {{convert|198|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} (via Kodaikanal – [[Vilpatti|Perumal Malai]] – [[Mayiladum Parai]] – [[Mooliyaru]] – [[Oothu]] – [[Thalaiyar Falls|Falls View]] – [[Ganguvarpatti]] – [[State Highway 156 (Tamil Nadu)|Kodai Ghat Road]] – [[Periyakulam]] – [[Theni]] – [[Bodinayakkanur]] – [[Roads in Kerala#NH 49: Kochi - Madurai|Bodimettu]] – [[Devikulam]] – Munnar) to {{convert|116|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}, saving a driving distance of {{convert|82|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}. It would provide a reliable link between the unimproved and unconnected rural communities of Vattavada and Kilavarai, improving the living standards of the people. Estimated cost of the project is Rs. 942 Million (2003 estimate). [[MECON Limited|M/s Mecon Limited]] has completed the feasibility study and submitted the final report.<ref name="roads">{{cite web|url=http://www.rbdck.com/?q=news|title=Munnar - Kodaikanal Highway|last=Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala Ltd|work=Road Projects|publisher=Govt. of Kerala|access-date=2015-10-12}}</ref> | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
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{{commons category|Kodaikanal–Munnar Road}} | {{commons category|Kodaikanal–Munnar Road}} | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kodaikanal-Munnar Road}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Kodaikanal-Munnar Road}} | ||