Nilgiris District Launches Initiative to Cultivate Native Fruit Trees

Return of the Native: The Nilgiris to Promote Cultivation of Native Fruit Trees

The Nilgiris district administration, in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, has launched an initiative to revive and promote the cultivation of native fruit trees in the region. As part of this effort, an acre of land at the pomological station in Coonoor has been dedicated to the cultivation of these indigenous species. The initiative was officially inaugurated on June 17 by District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru.

The project emphasizes the cultivation of native fruits such as wild figs, monkey fruit, wild guavas, jamuns, and Eleocarpus tectorius, commonly known as Vikki fruits. Alongside this, the administration is encouraging local farmers to adopt the cultivation of these native varieties.

According to a press release, the pomological station is also supporting the production of saplings for various native ornamental and flowering tree species found in the Nilgiris. District Collector Tanneeru recently visited orchards in Coonoor where farmers are growing fruits like peaches, plums, pears, grapes, oranges, and lemons.

Officials from the Horticulture Department noted that the pomological station has become a popular spot for bird watchers, thanks to the fruiting trees on its premises. They anticipate that the introduction of native trees will attract an even greater variety of bird species. The department is also urging local farmers and plantations to join the initiative and encouraging the public to visit the station to purchase produce grown in Coonoor.