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| Ecotourism
in Kerala |
Kumbalangi,
the picturesque village in the suburbs of Kochi is the first
model tourism village in India. The village project is a
unique initiative to transform the tiny island as a model
fishing village and tourism spot.
The model village is a veritable treat to its visitors with
the famous Chinese fishing nets and many other sights to
savour. Kumbalangi has several eco systems like mangrove
eco systems and back water eco systems etc. The project
is aimed at the promotion of preservation and conservation
of environment. Mangrove conservation of the 'panchayat'
is an example. The heritage houses and exotic local cuisines
are maintained and used for tourism purposes.
The project also proposes to save it's magnificent culture,
traditional occupation such as Crab farming (Njandu krishi),
various fishing methods, coir production etc. Kumbalangi,
once was the centre of 'Vykom coir' production. The model
village will be more eco-friendly - as part of the Kerala
Tourism Eco-Initiative, Eco-Kerala. |
The major
tourism products are broadly classified as beaches, backwaters,
hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries and culture including
festivals. The major thrust is to upgrade the quality of these
products and to provide basic infrastructure facilities.
The Western Ghats of Kerala with its tropical forest ecosystem
provides a natural advantage for development of this segment
of tourism.
In order to facilitate the fast growth of tourism sector in
Kerala, we have; to diversify our tourism products. The Western
Ghat regions of Kerala can be projected as an Ecotourism Zone
in true sense. Ecotourism projects the concept of sustainability
in tourism. That is, the needs of today's visitor should not
be met at the expenses of future generations. Such as ecotourism
project, based on internationally accepted principles, will
help infuse the sustainability concept to other tourism ventures
outside the realm of ecotourism. |
Strength
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Kerala has 12 wildlife sanctuaries and two national parks.
These may form the base for planning ecotourism activities.
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Apart from these, the rich biological diversity can be
an added advantage.
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The water bodies formed within the forest area due to
construction of dams/hydel projects provide scope for
recreational facilities
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Massive marketing campaign is undertaken by Government
of Kerala in the tourism field.
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Scope for a variety of ecotourism activities such as mountaineering,
trekking, bird watching etc.
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Location advantages such as short distance from seashore,
well developed road network upto forest area etc.
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Forest staff who are well trained in wildlife, ecology
etc.
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Well informed public and conservation groups who may always
be watchful of the adverse impacts if any.
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The
following are the important ecotourism destinations in
Kerala
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Neyyar
Wildlife Sanctuary
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Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
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Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary
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Periyar Tiger Reserve
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Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
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Eravikulam National Park
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Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
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Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
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Chimmini wild life sanctuary
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Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
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Silent Valley National Park
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Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
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Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
- Thenmala
eco tourism project
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Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
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Potential
Ecotourism Destinations
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Kumarakom
- Bhoothathankettu
- Munnar
- Athirappally
- Vazhachal Falls
- Nelliampathi
- Nilambur
- Peruvannamuzhy
- Peruva
islands
- Tirunelli
- Pythalmala
- Ravipuram
- Thenmala
Ecotourism Development Project
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