Munnar: The mega tourism project that lets visitors enjoy the majestic beauty of the Western Ghats from the skies will be launched soon. The initial inspections for starting a seaplane service in the Mattupetty dam have been completed. Meanwhile, the experimental flying would be conducted in a week. The first experimental flight would take off from the Bolgatty Palace in Kochi. Seaplanes that can take off and land on land and water can accommodate up to eight passengers. Tourists can enjoy the scintillating natural beauty of Munnar from the skies as seaplanes have larger windows than regular planes. The authorities plan to construct the water aerodrome near the boat jetty at Mattupetty Dam.
An expert group of officials comprising a director from the Airport Authority of India, a dam safety chief engineer, CIAL officials and officers from the electricity department conducted the inspections at the proposed site in Mattupetty Dam. They have found the region to be perfect for the seaplane service. This was followed by another round of inspections by senior officials from the forest department.
Eravikulam National Park is the best place to visit if you want to see Nilgiri Tahr and Munnar's rich biodiversity. The park is 97 square kilometres and is home to rare butterflies, birds and wildlife. Trekking facilities are also arranged here if you want to try your hands at adventure activities. As you climb uphill, you will notice that one side of the mountain is covered in lush greenery. Meanwhile, the hills and the meadows would don an enchanting hue of blue when the neelakurinji blooms. That is also when Munnar is swarmed with tourists from all over the world.