Deccan Chronicle 02.02.2010

Rs 1 crore for Ooty lake beautification

Feb. 1: For old-timers, it is quite difficult to forget the song Naan Parthathiley Aval Oruthiyaithaan in the MGR-starrer Anbe Vaa. The scenic background on the southern side of Ooty lake, opposite the boat house, which provided the platform for the first few scenes of this hit song, has over the years, with the negligent attitude of the officials, turned into a wild bush with weeds occupying the place.

Now, with the Hill Area Development Programme (HADP) lending a helping hand to reclaim the lost beauty of that place and Rs 1 crore being allotted for the purpose, the process of regaining what has been lost in this area to make it a scenic park is under way.

Mr M. Prakasam, assistant director of horticulture at the Government Botanical Garden here, said the department was doing gardening work and turfing works are expected to be completed in a couple of weeks.

With flowers expected to bloom in another couple of months, this portion will be a feast for the eyes of the summer tourists and become a picnic spot. The agriculture engineering department is laying a footpath around the southern part of the lake to make it a walkers’ paradise.