Postcards from the Palanis
Looking east from the Kodaikanal-Beijam plateau and escarpment edge in the Palani Hills.
Evening light over the growing agricultural settlement of Kavunji with the Anaimalai Hills dominating the western edge of the Palani Hills.
The area around the south Indian hill station of Kodaikanal is well known for its natural beauty, salubrious climate and views over the arid plains to its south and north. In the previous post I explored some of the negative impacts of the new wave of vehicle-based tourism in places like Devil’s Kitchen. Here I share several vignettes from the hills that celebrate aspects of the landscape and ecology. These images were taken over the summer of 2011 and are composed of composite (stitched) multiple digital images. Future posts will look at conservation efforts and plans to restore some of the ecologically damaged areas.
Kodai Lake and clouds clearing over Perumal from Swedish Hill.
Plantation of non-native species near Nettle Shola and the golf course. Much of the upper plateau of the Palanis has been converted to similar plantations of eucalyptus, pinus and acacia species. This strand of grand trees has been in the same place since my earliest hiking experiences in the late 1970s. There is some evidence of shola regeneration under its canopy.
Southern escarpment of the Palani Hills and Agamalai area viewed from the ever-popular Pillar Rocks viewpoint. Pillar Rocks is on the right.
Rosneath Cottage, one of the oldest bungalows in the settlement of Kodaikanal. It was built in the mid-19th Century.
Wind turbines in the Cumbum Valley with the Highwavy Hills in the background, as seen from the southern edge of the Palani Hills on a very clear, monsoon-washed morning.
I enjoyed these pictures. What do you mean by “stitched”? And where in Kodai is Rosneath Cottage? Thanks!
flowergirl
2011-08-20 at 10:52 am
Fascinating valley!
Kirigalpoththa
2011-09-21 at 10:08 am
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Postcards from the Palanis 2014 | Ian Lockwood
2015-02-11 at 9:48 pm