Natural Heritage Centrers In Kanyakumari - A Study

Abstract

Kodaikkanal is situated at 2133 metres above sea level, in    the beautiful Palani Hills.¹ It is a popular hill resort of Dindigul  District of Tamil Nadu.  It is very interesting to note the discovery of      Kodaikkanal.² Lieutenant Ward, an Englishman, climbed up from  Kunnavan village of Vellagavi to Kodaikkanal in 1821 to survey the area.       In 1834, the then Madurai Collector Mr. John Blackbrun³ climbed the      hill from Devadanapathi and built a small bungalow at the head of    Adukkam Pass near Shenbaganur. In 1836, Dr. Wight a British botanist  visited Kodaikkanal and recorded his observations, which were very        useful  to the botanists later.⁴ In 1844, Mr.Fane, another Englishman, built  godowns  in Kodaikkanal.  In 1855, the first two bungalows "Sunny Side"  and "Shelton" were built by American Missionaries with the help of
Mr. Fane.⁵  The hill station  Kodaikkanal was created to  serve  the  needs  of the British and Europeans in India.⁶ The 20^th century saw elite Indians entering Kodaikkanal to enjoy its charm and  beauty and to harness its  natural wealth for development.