Heritage tourism gaining ground in hill retreat

Coimbatore: The Nilgiris has always been known as a hill station that offers pleasant weather, fresh eucalyptus-scented air and plenty of entertainment options for children, making it a perfect destination for a family holiday. However, not many people know that the Nilgiris, which has a history that dates to the early 1800s, is a treasure trove of history and British-era buildings. It is only recently that the Blue mountains has seen heritage tourism picking up.
Despite Udhagamandalam being home to the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, which has been declared a Unesco heritage site, Ooty never pops up on a heritage or history tour map of the country. “Not many people know that when it comes to history and heritage, the Nilgiris offers a unique combination of architectural, cultural and tribal history,” says Geetha Srinivasan of INTAC, Udhagamandalam. “In Ooty, we have some extremely well-preserved British-era buildings like the historic Ooty library, post office and assembly rooms theatre, among others, which date back to the early 19th century.”

There are at least 15-20 heritage buildings where tourists could stop for sight-seeing or a comprehensive heritage walk, says Radhakrishnan, another old-time resident.

It is only recently that a few entrepreneurs realized that the Nilgiris could be sold as more than a perfect place for a family holiday. A few owners of British-era houses are converting the houses into home stays and boutique hotels, while a few people are leasing out such houses for the same. “We basically offer them a stay which promises old world charm,” says Junaid Ali Sait, proprietor of Serendipity Hotels, whose family is one of the oldest settlers in the Nilgiris. He has inherited around four houses, which date back to the late 19th century, and converted them into heritage hotels including 180 Mc Iver in Coonoor and Lymond House in Ooty.

Sait says while they initially drew primarily expat crowd and people working in embassies, they were now pulling in heritage buffs, avid naturalists and even families who just wanting a charming stay. “We offer a heritage walk, treks and picnics to our guests and often invite them home to regale them with stories of my ancestors and the old Nilgiris and its development.”

Besides the British-era buildings, a few entrepreneurs are also trying to promote the tribal history of the hill station. “Our trips include a visit to a Badugas and Todas hamlet, Baduga style lunch and a heritage walk accompanied by historian Suresh Sethuraman,” says Ramya Vivek, member of travel start-up Ulaa. “Not many people know that tea is not native to the Nilgiris and was first planted by the British. We are targeting a discerning bunch of history buffs, heritage lovers and people looking for a more immersive experience.”

However, historians and conservationists feel the state government and district administration should consciously start promoting the district’s history and heritage. “They can conduct heritage walks and events to promote the hill station’s rich culture and history,” says Srinivasan.