Yercaud: Shevaroy Hills Retreat and the Tribal Heart of Salem District - News Today

Constituency No. 83 | Salem District | Scheduled Tribe

Yercaud is one of Tamil Nadu’s most distinctive hill constituencies, a landscape of cool climate, mist-covered slopes, coffee estates and winding mountain roads rising above the plains of Salem district. Situated in the

Shevaroy Hills of the Eastern Ghats, the constituency combines the quiet charm of a hill retreat with the political reality of a large rural region inhabited significantly by Scheduled Tribe communities. Unlike the crowded hill stations of the Nilgiris, Yercaud retains a quieter and more intimate character, drawing visitors seeking relief from the heat of the plains while sustaining a livelihood base rooted in plantations and small-scale agriculture.

The hill town of Yercaud itself, perched roughly 1,500 metres above sea level, has long served as a getaway destination. Its cool weather, scenic viewpoints and colonial-era estate culture made it popular during the British period and it continues to attract tourists from across Tamil Nadu today. Yet beyond tourism lies the deeper social structure of the constituency — tribal villages, estate workers, plantation economies and rural communities scattered across the hill ranges.

The constituency therefore represents a rare blend of tourism landscape, plantation agriculture and tribal political representation, making it one of the most unique seats in the state.

Queen of the Shevaroys

Yercaud is often described as the “Jewel of the Shevaroy Hills”, a hill town surrounded by forests, coffee estates and fruit plantations. The cool climate and misty mornings give the region an atmosphere very different from the hot plains below. Visitors arriving through the famous hairpin bends from Salem experience a dramatic shift in landscape — from dry plains to green hills in a matter of kilometres.

The winding ghat road itself is part of the Yercaud experience, offering sweeping views of valleys and forests as vehicles climb the slopes.

The Lake at the Heart of the Town

The Yercaud Lake, also known as Emerald Lake, forms the visual and social centre of the hill town. Surrounded by gardens, pathways and small shops, the lake is one of the most visited attractions in the region. Boating facilities and shaded promenades make it a gathering point for tourists and residents alike.

Markets, eateries and small hotels around the lake area create a lively atmosphere, especially during weekends and holiday seasons when visitors from Salem and neighbouring districts arrive in large numbers.

Coffee Estates and Plantation Economy

Agriculture in the hills revolves largely around coffee cultivation, along with pepper, orange and other plantation crops suited to the cool climate. Coffee estates spread across the slopes, providing employment for many residents including tribal workers who have historically been part of the plantation labour force.

These estates give the hills their distinctive appearance — long stretches of shaded plantations interspersed with tall silver oak trees. Plantation agriculture remains one of the primary economic activities of the constituency.

Temples and Sacred Sites

Yercaud’s spiritual centre is the Shevaroy Temple, located near the highest point of the hills. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shevaroyan and Goddess Kaveri and is particularly revered by tribal communities of the region.

The annual temple festival attracts large gatherings from surrounding villages.
Other temples, churches and small shrines across the hills reflect the cultural diversity of the area. Religious festivals often bring together plantation workers, tribal communities and visitors in communal celebrations.

Viewpoints and Scenic Landmarks

The hills offer several viewpoints overlooking the plains below. Places such as Pagoda Point, Lady’s Seat and other hilltop vantage spots provide panoramic views of Salem city and the surrounding countryside.

Botanical gardens, forest paths and waterfalls further enhance the region’s natural appeal. These attractions support tourism while preserving the ecological character of the hills.

Tourism and Local Commerce
Tourism forms an important part of the local economy. Resorts, guesthouses, small hotels and restaurants cater to visitors seeking a quiet hill retreat. Weekend travellers from nearby cities frequently visit Yercaud for its cool weather and scenic surroundings.

Roadside stalls selling fruits, spices and local produce are common along the hill roads. These small businesses supplement the income of local residents.

Transport and Hill Connectivity
The constituency is connected to the plains through the Salem–Yercaud ghat road, a route famous for its hairpin bends and scenic climbs. Bus services and private vehicles provide regular transport between Salem city and the hill station.

Despite its hill setting, the constituency maintains strong economic and social links with Salem, which functions as the nearest urban centre for healthcare, higher education and major markets.

Electoral Ledger
2011
Winner – C. Perumal (AIADMK) – 63,812 votes
Second – S. Tamilselvan (DMK) – 54,162 votes
Third – R. Selvaraj (DMDK) – 11,973 votes
Winning Margin: 9,650 votes
2016
Winner – Chitra G (AIADMK) – 100562 votes
Second – C. Tamilselvan (DMK) – 83168 votes
Third – Selvam R (PMK) – 17998 votes
Winning Margin: 17394 votes
2021
Winner – G. Chitra (AIADMK) – 121561 votes
Second – C. Tamilselvan (DMK) – 95606 votes
Third – Jothi (Naam Tamilar Katchi) – 13308 votes
Winning Margin: 25955 votes
The constituency’s elections often reflect the concerns of both hill communities and plantation workers.

What Decides the Seat
Several issues influence voters in Yercaud:
• welfare and livelihood support for tribal communities
• employment and wage conditions in plantations
• preservation of forest and hill ecology
• improvement of road and tourism infrastructure
• access to education and healthcare for hill villages
Balancing tourism development with environmental protection remains a central concern.

Closing Frame
Yercaud is a constituency where cool winds drift through coffee estates and mist settles over the Shevaroy hills each morning. Tourists gather by the lake while plantation workers tend crops on shaded slopes. Tribal communities preserve traditions that have endured in these hills for generations.

It is a landscape where nature and livelihood remain deeply intertwined.
When Yercaud votes, it speaks for the quiet highlands of Tamil Nadu — a hill constituency where forests, estates and tribal communities together shape the voice of the Shevaroys.