Longwood Shola, a 116-hectare Forest in Kotagiri, Nilgiri district,TamilNadu  South India is a sanctuary of unique trees, plants, and vines, as well as an abundance of wildlife, birds, insects, and microorganisms. It is vital that any development activity inside this area be avoided. Beyond its natural complexity, Longwood Shola is significant because it provides 18 villages in the Kotagiri area with direct drinking water and acts as a perennial source for several water bodies. It meets ten thousand households' basic needs for water.
Under the guise of setting up an Interpretation Center, extensive construction, including buildings and restrooms, has started right in the middle of this exceptional ecological sanctuary. The historic Longwood woodland has been severely damaged by this expansion, upsetting the delicate balance that supports a variety of species, wetlands that store water, and bodies of water necessary for life. On March 31, 2023, the situation worsened when more than 400 concerned citizens and environmentalists stormed the Kotagiri forest office and took the JCB backhoe that was working on a building project. The Nilgiri district forest officer received the information after the intervention, which took place in front of the Kotagiri Thasildar, Revenue Inspector, and Police personnel. At that point, promises were given that no more construction would take place, and a few days later, the JCB backhoe was released.
In defiance of these promises, concrete buildings have now been built in the section of Longwood Oasis reserved for raising seedlings. Furthermore, the District Forest Officer and Principal Forest Conservation Officer announced plans to construct a six-thousand-square-foot interpretation center building in the former nursery area during the stakeholder consultation meeting regarding the Longwood Shola Interpretation Center on November-21-2023. As a result, the vast majority of people, even environmentalists, expressed their opposition to any new developments or construction.
It is now the responsibility of all parties involved to come together to protect Longwood Shola, which provides the Kotagiri community with a crucial supply of drinking water. The appeal is clear: let's work together to safeguard this priceless ecological gem.

Longwood Shola Conservation Consortium