Udagamandalam is also known as Ootacamund, and shortly known as Udhagai and universally known as Ooty. It is a town and municipality of the south Indian state of Tamilnadu. It is very much popular hill station in India located at Nilgiris. Ooty is capital of Nilgiri district.

Ooty is famous for Chocolates, Varkies and Most renowned for Tea Plantation. You can get plenty of shops on Commercial Road. Kurinji flower is also added attraction because which flowers every twelve years once.Firstly, it was Tribal land and formerly occupied by Toda People, then Ooty came under East India Company at the 18th century.  The first route to Niligiri from Coimbatore was set in the year 1821 (Shirumugai to Kothagiri). Later in the year 1832, Coonoor Ghar road was constructed. The economy of Niligiri is mostly in Tourism & Agriculture. The Nilgiri town was connected by the Nilgiri Ghat Roads and Nilgiri Mountain Train.

Nearest City: Coimbatore (90 kms)Nearest Airport: Coimbatore

Nearest Station: Ooty, 

Metupalaiyam Railway Station (45 kms)

Elevation: 2240 m (7350 ft.)

Climate: Summer: 23 Degree Max & 11 Degree Min              

Winter: -19 Degree Max & -6 Degree Min

District: The Nilgiris 

Population: 88,430

Spots: Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Pine Forest, Doddabetta Peak, Pykara Water Falls, Niligiri Moutain Train

Ooty Lake

Ooty Lake is artificially made lake with natural surroundings. Lake was built with 65 acres of the massive area. Lake has become the ground-breaking tourist spot in Ooty. Ooty Lake is famous for Cycling, Boating, Kids Train, Horse Horse-riding and Taking photographs. Boating is the major attraction in the Lake throughout the year. Entrance Ticket is 10 rs per Adult for Ooty Lake. Ooty Lake is open from 9 am to 6 pm.

Boat Rides Price: 

•         170rs for 2seater Pedal Boat

•         260rs for 4seater Pedal Boat

•         250rs for 3+1seater Row Boat

•         290rs for 5+1seater Row Boat

•         560rs for 8seater Motor Boat

•         680rs for 10seater Motor Boat

•         990rs for 15seater Motor Boat

For Kids: Cost of Kids Train Ride is 10 rs. There are other games available such as Dashing car, Car Racing Video Games, Columbus and Break-dance (Available both for Kids and Adult)

There are a couple of shops available inside the Lake premises where you can buy Chocolates, Jerkins, Toys, Masks, Hand Bands, and Eucalyptus oil.

Government Botanical Garden - Ooty

Botanical Garden

It is a garden with wide-ranging of plants categorized with Botanical names. Botanical Garden, Ooty covered with an area of 55 hectares. It is preserved by Tamilnadu Horticulture Department. It was established in the year 1848 under the observation of William Graham Mclvor. The Garden consists of thousands of plant, herbs, ferns, herbal and bonsai plants. The Garden is divided into 6 segments which are Lower Garden, New Garden, Italian Garden, Nursery, Fountain Terrace and Conservatory.

Ooty Flower Show

Flower show in Botanical Garden, Ooty is very famous and which invites tourist from all over the world. Summer Festival will take place in the month of May every year. The first Flower show was started in the year 1896. Best time to visit the Garden is April & May, September.

The Fossil tree trunk is displayed in the garden which is over 20 Million years old. And unusual tree ranges such as Paperbank tree, Cork tree, and Monkey puzzle tree are available in the garden.

Entrance Ticket cost 40rs per Adult and 15rs per Children. Use of still Cameras and Video Cameras are charged.

Doddabetta Peak

The word Doddabetta known as Big Mountain in Badaga Language. There are 24 peaks in Nilgiris in which Doddabetta is highest among them. It is 9km away from Ooty, in Ooty-Kotagiri Road in Niligiris Mountain. It is the third highest peak in South India following to Anaimalai (Munnar), Meesapulimala (Idukki District). The best time to visit Doddabetta peak is early morning and late evening.

A major percentage of Mountain is covered by Sholas. Sholas are a high altitude evergreen forest found in South India. The term Shola is obtained from the Tamil word Cholai.

Telescopic point is available to witness the scenic beauty. Avoid going in the weekend coz lots of tourist will gather at Doddabetta peak which makes plenty of traffic, and parking your vehicles will be difficult which takes more of your precious time. Entry ticket for Adult is around 6rs for Adult and No tickets for Children (if I am not wrong)

Pykara Waterfalls

It is originated from Pykara River from Mukurthi Peak. It is 22kms away from Ooty in the Ooty-Mysore Road. Pykara Falls is the 2kms distance from Pykara Dam. It is shaped by Pykara River which is situated in the direction in which a river flows of the Pykara Dam. There are two waterfalls which fall from the height of 55 and 61 meters respectively. The best time to visit the falls is in the month of July.

Pykara Lake

Backwaters have formed the mammoth lake due to the construction of Pykara Dam. It became a major tourist attraction place in Ooty.  Pykara Lake area is surrounded by Sholas Forest.  Boating is available in Pykara Lake. The speed boat ride is one of best over there.

Boat Ride Price: 

•         750rs for 8seater Motor Boat (20 min)

•         870rs for 10seater Motor Boat (20 min)

•         1210rs for 15seater Motor Boat (20 min)

•         785rs for 2seater Speed Boat (10 min)

•          

The Nilgiri Mountain Train

The Nilgiri Mountain Train is a 1000mm metre gauge railway which was built by British in 1908. The train is operated by Southern Railway and it is only Rack Railway present in India.

In 2005 July, UNESCO accredited the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The railway used Coal-fired locomotives which have been replaced with Oil fired steam engines.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is 46 kilometers long and it passes over hundreds of bridges and many large tunnels. The ride starts from Mettupalayam, and the total distance covered from Mettupalayam to Ooty is 45kms. In which 8kms from Mettupalayam is Plain area and the rest drives the coaches upwards to a hill. The train covering area are Mettupalayam, Kellar, Coonoor, Wellington, Lovedale, and Ooty.

Nilgiri Mountain Train

Timing of Nilgiri Mountain Train:

Mettupalayam – Ooty Passenger (56136)

Departure at 7:10 AM | Arrival at 12:00 PM

Ooty – Mettupalayam Passenger (56137)

Departure at 14:00 PM | Arrival at 17:35 PM

Ticket Cost: Nilgiri Mountain Train offers First class, Second Class and Unreserved Category. It cost 205rs, 30rs, and 15rs respectively. Travel time would take around 6hours of the journey.

There are some more beautiful Hill stations in Tamilnadu such as  Yercaud, Kolli Hills, Kodaikanal, Yelagiri, and so on

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Yercaud - A Hill station which is part of South India. It is situated in the Shevaroys Hill Range in the Eastern Ghats. Entire taluk is managed as Township. Average Literacy Rate of Yercaud is 61.48 %. Hill is popularly known for Orange Groves, Coffee and Spice Plantation.

Altitude: 1,623 m above Sea Level

Climate: 31 °C, Wind SE at 10 km/h, 30% Humidity

District: Salem

Area: 382.67 Square KM

Population: 41869 (As per 2011 Census)  

Spots: Yercaud Lake, Pagoda Point, Rose Garden, Kiliyur waterfall, Ladys Seat..

Yercaud is located in Salem District, Tamilnadu. It is just 32 km away from Salem city. Tamilnadu Government drives buses from Yercaud to major cities. Airport and Railway Station are 38 km away from Yercaud Hill top.

Yercaud Lake

Yercaud Lake Boating

Yercaud Lake is well-known as Emerald Lake, Big Lake or Yercaud Lake. It is one of best place in Yercaud town. It is situated at the Center of the township. It is one of naturally made lake through all the hill station in Tamilnadu. Pretty Garden (Deer Park) is available on the banks of the Lake. Motor Boats & Row Boats are obtainable for Ride on the lake with Ticket cost. While boating in the Lake, Tourist will discover Picture-perfect atmosphere to click pictures. It will be one of the finest outing spot in Yercaud. Be assured to visit before 6 PM. 

Pogoda Point

 Pogada Point 

It is located at Eastern side of Yercaud hills. Pogoda point is also known as Pyramid Point. The name came from four piles of stones that form Pyramid shape. It is believed that it was raised by Local Tribes.  Pogoda Point is one of best tourist place to hold minds with comfort. No Entry fees is collected in the spot.

Deer Park

The Park is pretty picnic spot where travelers can enjoy views of the valley, while kids can explore Game activities. Lady’s seat and Yercaud Lake is the closest spot from the park. Park closes at 5 PM.  Deer Park is now changed as Eco Park.  Don’t make any plan on Tuesday because Park is closed. Entry ticket for Adult is 10rs and for children is 5rs.

Lady’s Seat

Lady’s seat view point is close one from center of Yercaud. It offers great view of Salem City & Hair pin bends. Night view of Salem city will look more beautiful from Lady’s seat but Place will be too dark after 6 30 coz less number of lights. Telescopic Binocular is available in the spot and ticket price is 5rs. Parking space is good.

Anna Park

Anna Park is located just opposite to Yercaud Lake. It has decent number of flowers, Kids play area and lots of trees. Yercaud Summer Festival is main highlight event and will happen on the month of May, more than 10 to 15 varieties of Flowers will be showcased on the festival. During the time of Festival, large number of tourist will gather from neighbor state. Japanese Garden is present inside Anna Park, in which plants are grown in Japanese style. Entry ticket for Adult is 15rs.

Loop Road

Coffee Plantation Estate

Loop road is actually 32km stretch from Yercaud town. Its starts from Yercaud Lake and will end on the same place. It will be a delight ride for Bikers and Car Drivers with 20 Hairpin bends. Loop Road has greenery on the both sides of the road and passes through villages, Coffee Estates & viewpoints.

There are some more beautiful Hill stations in Tamilnadu such as  Ooty, Kolli Hills, Kodaikanal, Yelagiri, and so on

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An Urban Farming

A place or area where farming/Gardening take place within the city. Unlike rural farming, Urban Farming has some primary drawbacks are Space, Pollution, Light. Greenhouse farming is a popular method of Urban Farming. Urban agriculture can also include animal farming, aqua farming, urban beekeeping, and horticulture.

Space Limitation: Major part of Urban Farming happens at Roof Top due to the limitation of space. Vertical Gardening is mostly implemented due to space limitation. Vertical Farming is a common method and often take place in inside location.

Pollution: Air value in the urban side is normally less than on the rural side. It happens because of Car Exhaust, Factory emission etc.  The effect of pollutant is generally seen on plants.

Light: Mostly plants require proper light at day time but in urban cities, mostly it won’t happen due to large structures. Artificial lights from street lamps also affect plant growth. But in some condition, Artificial Lighting and Solar Heating are used for Vertical farming.

Farming has gained attention in recent years, and it’s a good sign. In Urban cities, considering time, space, requirements, etc. it’s a commercial activity that has gained popularity in recent times. Still, it’s at Budding stage. In Future, Terrace Farming, Roof Top Garden will turn into a need for many urban residents.

  

Benefits of Urban Farming:

Save Space: Urban farming consumes space extremely well, due to Vertical Farming. Vertical Farming allows yielding maximum crops round the year.

Healthy Food: Urban Farming mostly produces Vegetables, Fruits which are mostly fresh and healthy.

Prevent Food Shortage: Terrace Garden or Vertical Farming produce a reasonable amount of food for nearby citizens. Over 25 Lakh Children die of hunger every year says study.

Organic: From Urban Farming, we can produce Fresh, Fertilizer less, Pesticide fewer Vegetables. Organic is nothing but growing good with natural fertilizers (such as Manure, Compost etc...)

Cheaper: Growing Foods from Urban Farming is very much cheaper than buying in Local Vegetable shop.

Packing less: If you are growing your food from urban farming (Terrace Farming) leads to packing less. It helps to keep our environment safe by not using Plastic and Paper bags.

Air Cleansing: There are some plants which make our surrounding air clean. 

The below plants used for purifying contamination from Air.

• ·         Aloe Vera
• ·         Peace Lily
• ·         Weeping Fig
• ·         Bamboo Palm
• ·         Rubber Plant

Challenges of Urban Farming:

Farming in urban gifts different challenges, Please find some of them

• ·         Limited Space
• ·         Higher Land Values
• ·         Lack of Fresh Soil
• ·         Lack of Skilled Labors
• ·         Greater Cost of Water

Urban Agriculture influences a civic in altered ways, from providing foods, Eco-friendly assistance and altering city’s form. Likewise, in spite it looks like simple, urban agriculture doesn’t happen overnight. It needs broad plan to make it happen.

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