 Pitchavaram
is a mangrove forest in the middle of rural south India. 16
kms from Chidambaram, this is a popular tourist destination.
The lush greenery and the calm backwaters drew me, from far
off Chennai, to make a visit. The main attraction of the forest
is the boating trips on the estuary through the mangrove forests.
The Forestry Department and the Tamilnadu Tourism
Department jointly manage this 2800-acre mangrove forest.
 Mangroves
are special type of forests, where only a few species of trees
grow. These trees have breathing roots, wherein the roots
come above the soil surface to breathe air. In Pitchavaram,
there are 19 species of different trees. The mangrove forests
are known to prevent soil erosion, act as a buffer between
seawater and fresh water and also have medicinal properties
in their trees.
 The
boat ride through the still waters is very relaxing. The trees
make arches around the waterway and few rays of sunlight that
filter through these tangling branches reflect on the placid
waters, to make for an unforgettable experience. The boat
ride through these arches is a must. The silence will make
you never want to leave this place. If lucky you could spot
some exotic birds also. You would normally need an entire
day to see the whole forest. But I was satisfied with a two-hour
ride, mainly because my very informative boatman showed me
places that a normal tourist would most often not be taken
to. The experienced boat man was very entertaining and informative,
he could pronounce scientific terms flawlessly and kept good
company by singing old film songs. I don't know why I was
given this special privilege, but I am grateful for such a
wonderful memory.
Boats can be hired from the tourist counter at Rs 50/- per
head, for 1 hour.
Route: 16 kms from Chidambaram, can hire taxis, vans,
or take local buses.
Nearest Rail hub: Chidambaram (16 kms)
Nearest Airport: Trichy (128 kms)
Accomodation: TTDC cottages and rooms available at
Pitchavaram.( Double bed rooms - Rs 195/-, and Cottages Rs
50/- per head)
Notes: Video and still cameras not allowed.
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