Coonoor
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Coonoor is a city in the Nilgiris district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for its production of Nilgiri tea. Recently it has experienced a growing networked economy and a significant influx of tourists.
The bustling Coonoor bazaar - the clock tower above the bus terminus can be seen in the distance.
Coonoor town panorama
The town is the second largest in the Nilgiri hills after Ooty, the district head quarters.
Coonoor’s dominant demographic is a healthy mix of religions, languages and cultures - caused by the tourists who decide to retire here, the Indian Army’s regimental headquarters and Staff (DSSC) in neighboring Wellington Cantonment, and the local boarding . Economic development of the town has at best been lopsided, with very little going towards the maintenance of the town.
Local Economy
Coonoor's economy relies on seasonal tourist traffic during the summer months, and on the tea industry year round.
Tea
Daily wage laborers plucking Tea at a Tea Garden in Coonoor.
The local populace almost entirely depends on the tea trade. The massive private tea plantations that surround the hills produce fresh green tea leaves which are picked, processed and packaged in bulk in local factories, for sale at auction houses in Coonoor, Coimbatore and Cochin.
Tourism
Sims Park is, without doubt,the star attraction of Coonoor. Spread over 12 hectares, its small enough for a comfortable walk around and large enough to house a thousand varieties of trees, plants and flowers and a small lake.
The hills are among the more scenic spots in Tamil Nadu, and consequently attract enormous amounts of tourists during the hot Indian summer months. The town’s infrastructure often finds itself unable to handle the tourist inflow, and life turns especially chaotic when the local horticultural society holds its annual “Fruit Show” at the peak of the tourist season, hosted at Sim's Park.
There are several scenic areas around Coonoor. Coonoor provides tourists with a panoramic view of Eastern and Western Ghats along with its ravines, valleys, and waterfalls. There are some classical viewpoints close to Coonoor notably Dolphin's Nose, Lamb's Rock and Lady Canning's Seat.
Coonoor has some Sericulture. The Government operates a Silk Farm, though this is largely a research facility. Floriculture and strawberry cultivation are taking root of late.
Coonoor is home to Homedale Tea Factory on Tiger Hill road. This factory headed by Raman Menon makes some of the best teas made in the Nilgiris.
Air
The nearest airport is located approximately 80 km away by road in Coimbatore (IATA code CJB). Coimbatore serves several national destinations as well as having a few international routes to Singapore and Sharjah.
