Udhagamandalam: The year 2016 is being seen by all sections of society in the Nilgiris as one of the most forgettable years.

In particular the farming community is heaving a sigh of relief that it has come to an end. With the annual rainfall falling short by as much as 60 per cent, farmers were subjected to considerable hardship. Describing it as ‘a very bad year’, Ramesh Bellie, Director, Nilgiris Farmers Producer Company, told The Covai Post that on the one hand dry conditions affected the crops and on the other competition brought down the prices.

Pointing out that normally carrots fetched good prices, he regretted that this year even they had to be sold for a song. Except garlic, all other crops including potatoes went for lower prices. Meanwhile the Badagas urged the Central and State Governments to declare the Nilgiris as drought-affected.

The failure of both the South West and North East monsoons increased pressure considerably on the drinking water position almost all over the district. It also affected the year-end preparations for the Summer of 2017 at the Government Botanical Garden, the Government Rose Garden and Sim’s Park. N Mani, Joint Director of Horticulture, said that alternative arrangements were being made for water as sowing operations could not be delayed.

Water scarcity also escalated man-wild animal conflict.

On the tourism front, the Cauvery related tension between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, demonetisation and the demise of former Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa took their toll.

N Chandrashekar, Secretary, Nilgiri Hotels and Restaurants Association, said that though visitors were encouraged to settle bills with their credit or debit cards certain classes of tourists were hit badly.

The year will also be remembered for the death of four workers in a construction site accident at Coonoor, triggering a debate on the construction of buildings on steep slopes.
This year’s main tourist season also evoked mixed reactions.