Puliancholai, a scenic picnic spot that lacks basic amenities

With the jungle stream at Puliancholai coming alive with good water flow over the past few weeks following rain, visitors have called for improving amenities at the popular picnic spot at the foot of the Kolli hills in Tiruchi district.

With the jungle stream at Puliancholai coming alive with good water flow over the past few weeks following rain, visitors have called for improving amenities at the popular picnic spot at the foot of the Kolli hills in Tiruchi district.

The stream that sashays down the hills attracts a large number of picnickers from Tiruchi and neighbouring districts, especially on weekends and holidays.

Situated near Thuraiyur, about 70 km from Tiruchi, Puliancholai is known for its scenic beauty with a green canopy of tamarind groves and paddy fields around. The stream offers natural bathing spots, although going to the higher reaches could be challenging given the rugged terrain full of rocks and stones. However, this does not deter those seeking to have refreshing dip in the stream. The place has been attracting people in droves for many years as Tiruchi district does not have many such picnic spots.

Visitors have to pay an entry-cum-parking fee for vehicles at the entrance of the picnic spot at the Pachaperumalpatti panchayat. The Forest department (of Namakkal district), which has jurisdiction over the stream, levies a separate entry fee before the visitors begin the climb upstream.

Yet, the spot has been lacking in basic amenities for long. Even toilets and drinking water facilities are limited and not close to the bathing areas where they are required the most. A change room is situated near the entrance of the spot, making it practically useless for those bathing upstream. A cloak room is situated here and separate user fee of ₹10 is collected at each facility. A children’s park, established several years ago, has been in ruins.

“The Forest department has of late done a good job in cleaning the areas adjoining the stream, which used to be littered with liquor bottles. This menace seems to have been brought under control now. Still there is much scope for improving basic amenities at Puliancholai. We need toilets, changing rooms, and watch towers close to the stream. The children’s park has been lying in neglect for long and needs to be revived,” says N. Saravanan, a regular visitor to Puliancholai.

“We have been representing to the authorities concerned on the need for providing proper amenities to visitors to Puliancholai for long. My recent representation to the Mudhalavarin Mugavari seeking change rooms, toilets, and watchtowers along the stream has evoked a prompt response promising a field survey and appropriate action,” Mr. Saravanan said expressing hope that the situation would improve soon.