TTDC set to beautify River Cooum in TN

Chennai, Aug 9: The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has drawn up a plan to beautify River Cooum in a bid to make it a tourism spot.

As part of the programme, the TTDC is organising a huge event at Island Grounds here this week to plant 1,001 saplings on the banks of Cooum involving 1,000 college and school students, TTDC officials said here today.

River Cooum originates in a village by the same name, about 70 km away from here. Once a fresh water source, it is today on a drainage course inside Chennai.

The length of the river is about 65 km, of which 18 km fall within the Chennai city limits. This once used for fishing and boat racing has borne the brunt of the city's unplanned explosion.

Meanwhile, the officials also said the corporation proposed to convert part of Island Grounds into an eco-park with space for eco-walk and food court to promote culinary tourism.

The TTDC had appointed a consultant to help in setup a hub for entertainment to host traditional south Indian cultural programmes.

Efforts were on to conduct exhibitions to highlight lesser known tourist spots in the state and promote herbal medicine.

Steps would be taken to hold handicraft exhibitions with the help of women self-help groups, they added.

UNI