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Mountain Village tour- Anjunad or Five Town County tour.

Munnar- a tea plantation county perched on the roof of the sate is an international tourist destination in the Anamalai biome of Western Ghats. After the major gap of Western Ghats (Palakkad Gap) the mountains in the south side are attaining the highest elevations. Anamudi- the highest peak is located in these ranges. There are innumerable number of aboriginal settlements and villages in these mountain ranges. They are totally depends on the forest for their lively hood. More over the development of cities like Munnar, Periyar etc the forest and its biodiversity is facing threat from mass tourism. To minimize the impact of the mass tourism and to protect the culture of the people we are organizing them against mass tourism development and promoting nature and eco-tours. The villagers and local governing bodies are supporting us.

Anjunad or Five Town County- Reasons to visit the tour

Anjunad is a cluster of villages lying in the lap of great gap between Palani hills and Anamalai hills. It is located in the out skirt of Munnar. The villages are surrounded by natural forest. The region carries world famous megalithic site. The area is called Anjunad means ‘land of five counties’.

Attractions of Anjunad

1. Natural Sandal wood forest- Sandal wood – sandalum alabum – is a species of tree used for making fragrances. The Indian used it from time immemorial. It is a very slow growing tree and very difficult to maintain as a plantation. Due to it’s over exploitation the species become endangered and demanding special protection. The natural sandal wood forest of Marayoor are famous and worth to visit.

2. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary – This sanctuary which sharing its flora and fauna with Anamalai Tiger Reserve , covering 2/3rd of the north west boundary of Anjunad. It is an excellent abode of wildlife like Elephants, leopard, wild gaur, sambar, spotted deer, tufted grey langur, bonnet macaque etc. It harbors more than 200 species of birds. The open savanna type of forest, deep valleys and gorges , massive water fall etc are enchanting.

3. Anamudichola National Park- The biggest high altitude montain forest or Shola forest in Asia, the AMC national park is a must see forest area. Approximately 70 million years old forest of AMC harbors many endemic and endangered flora and fauna.

4. Megalithic sites and cave paintings. Anjunad is a world famous archaeological sites. The region is rich in Megaliths like dolmens, cists and urn burials. The rock shelter paintings of Marayoor and the unique of its kind in India.

5. Traditional Jaggery Production; Jaggery or brown sugar is made form molasses. Sugar cane is the main cultivation of thee land. Still then hundreds of individual farms producing jaggery using traditional methods.

6. Contour farming and vegetable cultivation Ancient system of contour farming is used in this land. The villagers are growing vegetables and cereals . Traditional manure and pest control are using in the field.

7. Tribal villages and settlements. There are many tribal and ethnic groups are living here. All of them are living separate in their own settlements and maintaining their tradition and culture. Folk dances, rituals and festivals are colourful and beautiful.

8. The mountains and gorges provide ample scope for hiking and camping.

9. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Anamudichola National Park.

10. Anjunad is very famous for traditional Jaggery making, lemon grass oil extraction etc. To make the fragrance oil we have to kill the tree. More over since it is a very expensive tree trafficking of the wood and cutting of trees is the major problem in this society. Though the government is employing the forces they became inefficient in controlling the smuggling. Their inefficiency to identify and tackle real culprit resulted in human rights violation and torturing. The smugglers using villagers as carriers. Our village experience tour is employing 16 village youth and there by providing at least a minimum level of income. They were trained in nature studies, adventure activities and language fluency. The organization has pool back 20% of the income and distributed the balance among volunteers.

Activities in Village tour

1. Overnight camps and stays in traditional farms and farm houses.

2. Ethnic cuisine and beverages

3. Interaction with villagers

4. Hiking through villages and forests with tribal men volunteers.

5. Experiencing farm activities like sugar making, cane cutting, spice harvest, processing etc.

6. Experience the village culture through interaction and meetings, participation in festivals

(seasonal), visit to their temples and sacred groves etc. 7. Visit to waterfalls and nature spa etc.

8. Birding and animal watch in village fringes.

9. Ethnic cooking class.