There are many places, which are very enchanting to visit at times. Some of the tourist`s places that are popularly visited are given below.
Eco-tourist circuit:
Pichavaram:
Pichavaram is regarded as the most exquisite scenic spot along with some other important one of the Cuddalore district. This place is packed with abundant and varied tourism resources. The Vellar and Coleroon system interconnect the backwaters. This offers abundant scope for water sports. The water sports usually include rowing, kayak and canoeing. The Pichavaram forest not only offers water scope and backwater cruises, the place is also very famous for the mangrove forest. These are the trees permanently rooted in a few feet of water.
The Pichavaram mangroves are considered among the healthiest mangrove in the world. This tourist spot consists of a number of islands placing a vast expanse of water and covered with green trees. The area is about 28 acres and is separated from the sea by a sand bar. This place is a boon for a botanist. As rare species like Avicennia and Rhizophara are present here in abundance. Same n case of an ornithologist, as numerous birds like Watersnips, Cormorants, Egrets, Storks, Herons, Spoonbills and Pelicans holds great interest. All total 177 species of birds belonging to 15 orders and 41 families have been recorded at this place. Every year at the month of September to April these birds come at this place. Peak population of birds can be seen from November to January. The availability of different habitat types such as channels, creeks, gullies, mud flats and sand flats and adjacent seashore offers ideal habitat for difference species of birds. Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) offers boating facilities to the visiting tourists. As a whole it can be said that tourists can enjoy the best of their time at this place.
TTDC and the district administration of Cuddalore district have proposed to conduct an Eco Tourism festival namely "Dawn Fest" at Pinchavaram. This is also known as Vidiyal Vizha in local language.
The special attractions of `Dawn` fest are:
1. Boat ride witnessing the Irula Tribals catching prawns and Crabs.
2. Enjoying Folk and traditional instrumental music performances on a "Floating stage" from boats.
3. Night dinner i.e. Seafood festival.
4. Viewing `sun rise` in the background of South Indian instrumental music and yoga demonstration.
5. Early morning Bird watching and boating through the mangroves.
Dawn fest offers a unique experience to international and domestic tourists as well. All of them enjoy a lot here. The expenditure it costs is very nominal. This rare Eco-Tourism event also offers an opportunity to written the devastation of Tsunami and the spectacular recovery. Thus international as well national tourists can come here and can get the pleasure of life to be a part of it.
Cuddalore Port:
The Cuddalore Port is situated in Lat.110 43 N. and Long. 790 49` East. This is placed at the confluence of the rivers Gadilam and Paravanar discharging as combined river into the sea in the District of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu. The ships anchor in midstream at a distance of about a mile from the shore and cargo is loaded and discharged at this place.
There is a bar at the mouth of the river, which maintains a depth of 5` to 6` at low water. During the months of July to September the depth over the bar is reduced to about 3 to 4 feet.
The hinterland of Cuddalore Port consists of the districts of Cuddalore and parts of Salem and Thiruchirapalli as well. The area is rich in minerals. The area named Neyveli that contains Lignite is placed at about 40 Kms from the port and iron ore deposits in Salem District. There is several oil crushing mills present in and around the port. Sugar factories are present at Nellikuppam, Pennadam and Mundiyampakkam.
All these factories and ports are well visited by the tourists.
