Kumarakom to make big changes

Hoseboats ply in the cool waters of Vembanad in Kumarakom, which is meant to get major infrastructure development under Swadesh Darshan 2.0. | Photo Credit: VISHNU PRTHAP

The backwater area of ​​Kottayam, which has long been attracting tourists with its picturesque canals, tree-lined avenues, and cool waters, will soon undergo a major makeover with the Union Tourism Ministry’s Swadesh Darshan 2.0 program finally kicking off. .

Officials of the State tourism department confirm that the detailed project report (DPR) of the first phase, which aims to convert the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary into an eco-tourism hub, will be finalized this month. The ₹13.53-crore scheme includes important improvements such as curbs, landscaping, differently-abled accessible footpaths, and reconstruction of pedestrian bridges and boat deck.

Additional features in the program include a 400 meter long boardwalk and a digital terminal deck with detailed bird information. The canals that flow through the area will be renovated, and new towers will be built.

According to KK Padma Kumar, Deputy Director of Tourism, Kottayam, the first DPR, which is currently being prepared after the visit of experts, is expected to be completed by the end of this month. “The interest of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), which owns the property, has been sought in developing and running the project. In case KTDC does not take it up, an outside agency may participate on a profit-sharing basis,” he said.

The overall DPR, designed by the Gujarat-based institute, envisages the expansion of tourism infrastructure worth ₹70 crore across the backwaters in four phases. Apart from the bird sanctuary, the project will also include the Malikayal lakeside park at Aymanom and the Kaippuzhamuttu boat park in the first phase. Future phases will focus on the development of the Nalupank boat depot and the restoration of the lake and canals.

A women-friendly place

Kumarakom, a world-renowned village that came to prominence under the Responsible Tourism initiative in 2007, is also recognized as Kerala’s top women-friendly destination. Since April this year, more than 6,000 women have visited the town under the women-only assistance provided by the Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission.

UK. Roopesh Kumar, CEO of Kerala RT Mission Society, says more than 1.96 lakh pilgrims have visited Kumarakom to experience its rural life. “Tourism is now the main source of income for more than 80% of families in the region, up from 20% in 2007,” he explained.