Now, take a tour of Veerappan land

How about staying in forest brigand Veerappan’s territory and roaming in the areas where the then manhunter roamed for more than two decades. If you are interested, here is an opportunity.

How about staying in forest brigand Veerappan’s territory and roaming in the areas where the then manhunter roamed for more than two decades. If you are interested, here is an opportunity.

Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd, Karnataka Forest Department’s subsidiary to promote eco-tourism, is planning to set up resorts in Kollegal and Satyamangala forests.

It is also in talks with Tamil Nadu to open such resorts in their territory on joint venture basis. In fact, the Union Tourism Ministry has been pushing this project to both the states to promote eco-tourism in the Western Ghats especially Veerappan’s territory, which was unexplored due to security reasons.

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A senior officer in the Union Tourism Ministry said they have suggested both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to explore the idea of opening eco-tourism in Veerappan’s territory, which is spread across over 6,000 sq km.

Jungle Lodges Managing Director N D Tiwari said that the Forest Department officials would hold talks with their counterparts in Tamil Nadu to set up resorts, including one in Palar Bridge where Veerappan killed 22 people, including policemen, blasting landmines in 1993.

The Satyamangala forest houses elephants, tigers, chitals, barking deers, sambhars, Indian bisons and sloth bears.

It is also home to over 300 species of birds, including robins, kingfishers, woodpeckers and babblers.