The Nilgiris district administration and the Department of Horticulture have undertaken a novel initiative to revive and promote the cultivation of native fruit trees in the district. They have set aside an acre of the pomological station in Coonoor specifically for native fruit trees. The initiative was inaugurated on June 17 by District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru.

The initiave focuses on the cultivation of wild figs, monkey fruit, wild guavas, jamuns and Eleocarpus tectorius, commonly known as Vikki fruits. The District Administration and the Department of Horticulture are also encouraging farmers to cultivate these fruits.

The District Collector said the station also provided guidance and support for the production of saplings of various native ornamental and flowering tree species found in the Nilgiris district, a press release from the district administration said.

The District Collector visited the orchards of farmers in Coonoor who are known to cultivate peaches, plums, pears, grapes, oranges and lemons.

Officials from the Horticulture Department said the pomological station has also become a site for bird watchers due to the fruiting trees on the premises. They said they expected the variety of birds to increase with the planting of the native trees, encouraging local farmers and plantations to also take up the initiative.

They also appealed to people to visit the station and purchase produce grown in Coonoor.