Gopinatham

Gopinatham is a rural village located in Karnataka state, India, in the border area of Tamil Nadu. It is the birthplace of Veerappan, the poacher, sandalwood smuggler and criminal who was killed by police on 19 October 2004.^[1] The village is 160 kilometres (99 mi) from the district centre at Chamarajanagar^[2] and nestled among thick scrub forest and mountainous terrain. The people of the village are modest and felt shame for decades because of the criminal activities of Veerappan. They were relieved when he was killed and celebrated his death by bursting crackers in the streets. After his death, the village economy began to return to normal and the first village shandy after the death of Veerappan attracted a large number of visitors.^[1]

Eco-tourism

The village is now a small-time tourist attraction and trekking is encouraged on a 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) trail. A trekking camp, managed by Government agencies, is located in the forests of Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, near the village. The Hogenakal falls is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Gopinatha and cycles are provided in the trekking camp to reach the waterfalls.^[2] Trekking is also arranged to Yekehalla, where a small memorial is built by Forest Department of Karnataka State, to remember DCF P.Srinivas, who was beheaded by Veerappan, when the officer was lured to the spot on the pretext of surrender proposed by the brigand through his brother Arjun.^[3] Srinivas was attacked from behind when he was crossing a stream.^[3]

References

1. R, Ilangovan (20 October 2004). "A relieved Gopinatham breathes easy". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
2. V, Paneesha (14 May 2011). "Have fun in Veerappan territory". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
3. M B, Maramkal (11 November 2012). "Memories of martyr haunt villagers, officials". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 September 2013.