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Those of us living in Coorg have taken the sheer
beauty that nature has to offer for granted. The
greenery, the pure air, and the relative cleanliness
can be appreciated only when these are contrasted with
the concrete jungles that our cities have been
converted into, with polluted environment and noisy
atmosphere. Many of my friends and friend's friends
who have visited Coorg always comment on the
oxygen-rich air, and the beautifully pruned hedges
along the coffee plantations. One of my friends, who
visited us took his taxi and drove around the
countryside with his family, for half day, just to
enjoy the beauty of coffee estates. A techie couple
that stayed the weekend at my cousin's estate wanted
to do nothing but sit on the verandah and enjoy the
view of the paddy fields and the various hues of
green.
Coorg has plenty to offer to those who love the great
outdoors. Coorg is a haven for bird-watchers. There
are about 300 species of birds. It can be a highly
rewarding experience to spot the various species of
birds armed with a pair of binoculars and a copy of
the book - "Featured Jewels of Coorg" compiled by Dr.
S.V. Narsimhan, and published by the Coorg Wildlife
Society. A safari in Nagarhole Game Sanctuary
organized by the Forest Department can bring the
visitor close to elephants, spotted deer, wild boar,
wild dogs, bison, peacocks, monkeys and a host of
other species. If lucky, one could have a rare
encounter with the majestic Tiger. Nagarhole Game
Sanctuary is rated one of the best Tiger reserves in
the country.
For those who like trekking there are many
opportunities. There are three major peaks in Coorg
viz., Tadiandamol, Pushpagiri, and Brahmagiri. There
are a few organization that arrange treks to these
peaks. One such organization is the Coorg Adventure
Club (CAC). CAC organize not only treks but also
Water sports including river rafting, Aero Sports,
rock climbing, nature camps etc.
For a small place, Coorg has three active golf courses
- 'Coorg Golf Links' in Bittangala, 'Mercara Downs' in
Mercara, and the one owned by Tata Coffee in
Pollibetta. Coorg Golf Links are putting up a swanky
Resort in Bittangala, near Virajpet, and all those
golf aficionados will be able to enjoy the ambience of
the place and indulge in golf.
Many come to Coorg just to enjoy the monsoon. If one
likes the rain, Coorg is the right place to visit.
One can wear a good pair of waterproof footwear and go
for a jaunt in the coffee estate. Getting oneself
thoroughly drenched in the torrential rains is an
experience by itself. This adventure in the rain can
be followed sitting next to a fireplace and catching
up on reading.
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