My first project comprised a large area of about 150 acres, located in Pandrimalai, a village near Thadiyankudisai, in the Kodaikanal hills. The plantation included coffee shrubs of both the Arabica and Robusta varieties. A few pepper vines and sturdy oak trees were also planted later on. From this project, I gained the knowledge of coffee cultivation and curing, so it could be said that it was a venture which laid the foundation for future projects.
The next one was a land in Bharathi Annanagar, a hamlet in the Vilpatti Kodaikanal Taluk. It was a land covered with wild shrubs and bushes, when I bought it. As this was not a very developed region at that time, there were no proper road facilities and no electricity at all. Elephants, bison and wild boars were frequent visitors. But nearly ten years of work transformed it into a fertile land full of coffee shrubs, orange trees, hill bananas, sweet corns and a variety of vegetables. Cottages and labor houses were also built as per convenience. Today, the property belongs to Mr. Dimitri Klein, a friend from Puducherry and he has converted it into an eco lodge, which attracts many tourists from all over the world.
[For more about the eco lodge visit: www.elephantvalleyhotel.com]
Next was a land in B.L.shed,a village on the palani kodaikanal ghat road.It was 60 acres of land with coffee,pepper,oak trees.In a short period It was fully developed and attracted a buyer from south korea.Now the property belongs to Mr.Sunny jung.He was an employee from chennai Hyundai car company.
After which I dealt with 2 smaller projects.Simultaneously I started my work with the current project.Main attraction of this land is the beautiful valley view with forests being one of the boundaries.The fauna includes Wild animals like wild boar,deer,reptiles,monkeys,red tail squirrel and a number of birds.As this land is near a tourist spot,is ideal for resorts.Nature lovers,bird watchers and people who love to stay in a serene and quiet atmosphere would prefer resorts built in this area.The area where coffee is cultivated has an interesting history.Part of this land was bought and developed by Mr.John Tapp ,the Collector of Madurai, India,in the yr 1892 before independence.The coffee grown here is a special kind and since its a high altitude coffee no pesticides are used.
