Green Hills??

[Sabyasachi Patra]

This image is from my Anayrangal visit. A first look and you will feel that the hills are lush green and lovely.

However, the sad part is this greenery comes at a great cost to the environment.

The bushes in the foreground is tea. Tea plantations cover up all the hills. No animal eats the tea leaves. I have been told that at times Gaur have been seen munching a few tea leaves, however I have never seen it myself. The pesticides being sprayed pollutes the streams that originate in the hills.

There is human elephant conflict happening in this area. Elephants pass through the hills and come in contact with the settlers. Most of the times these settlers are not aware of the habits of elephants and invite the wrath of the elephants.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi