Webinar On Tourism Highlights The Hidden Gems Of India, Especially In The South

Focusing on hidden gems of India, a virtual event recently came alive with the gushing of fresh water amid exotic plants, hundreds of butterflies and fireflies, as one travels further down south to explore new landscapes and colour in the countryside.

Aptly named “India’s Hidden Gems”, The Ministry of Tourism’s Dekho Apna Desh webinar series highlighted the pleasures of a rustic life in the midst of nature and many other aspects of India like a kaleidoscope.

Suggesting that the best way to experience this is by travelling to destinations, the webinar unfolded to a colourful start with Bindu Menon, an expat relocation manager and an avid traveller, started her presentation with a quote, “Life is more exciting when one treads away from the everyday path, seeking bold new horizons”.

The travel journey started from Amarambalam, Nilambur, which lies in the North of Kerala. Nilambur is a small town on the banks of the Chaliyar river in Malappuram district, Kerala.

This place is renowned for ‘Conally’s Plot’ or the oldest teak plantation in the world.

The first railway line in Kerala was introduced to transport teak. Tourists can enjoy wonderful train rides from Shornur to Nilambur. This place also has a hanging bridge at the Chaliyar river.

New Amarambalam forest was declared as a reserved forest in the Western Ghats and it is home to the indigenous Cholanaikkan tribes.

Environment enthusiasts can also enjoy Amara Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the 18th wildlife sanctuary of India.

Great Hornbill resorts are located in Amarambalam and Nilambur, Kerala. Great Hornbill (Vezhambal) is also the official bird of Kerala.

It is a biodiversity hotspot over seven acres, placed prettily between two mountains wrapped on three sides by the forest.

With the mighty mountains as the backdrop, the Amarambalam forest that is home to the Cholanaikar tribe, a perennially gushing fresh water stream with medicinal properties, hundreds of butterflies, a million fireflies and exotic plants all around, a completely sustainable vegetable garden and much more, this is certainly a secret paradise.

It is a great experience of nature surrounding the soul, bringing calmness and peace.

From Amarambalam, Menon took us virtually to Dudhsagar Plantation. Dudhsagar can be described as a four-tiered falls located on the Mandovi river gushing down like gallons of milk.

This can be best viewed from Amravati Express.