The Hindu Business Line : Drive to promote eco-tourism in Kerala

THE eco-tourism wing of Kerala's Department of Tourism is working on a range of initiatives to ensure that the State becomes an eco-friendly tourist destination.

On the cards is a series of destination-specific projects to address the environmental problems confronting the various tourist destinations in the State, explained Mr K.G. Mohanlal, Director-Ecotourism of the State Tourism Department .

This initiative will be tailored to suit the requirements of each tourist destination and will deal with all the environmental problems faced by a specific destination, he added.

The eco-tourism wing is also crafting an awareness campaign on the various environmental issues that can affect the tourism sector. This communication initiative is targeted at school and college students and will be rolled out through the Tourism Clubs set up in educational institutions across the State, Mr Mohanlal said. And in an attempt to reach a wider audience, the eco-tourism wing also plans to distribute booklets on the importance of eco-tourism, he added.

Similarly, the department also plans to create awareness about successful eco-tourism initiatives in Kerala, he said. This campaign will feature both Government-run organisations and private institutions that have implemented successful eco-tourism projects, Mr Mohanlal explained. The objective behind these campaigns is to drive home the point that being eco-friendly is not a cost, but an investment and an opportunity, he declared.

`Eco Kerala', Kerala Tourism's eco-tourism initiative was formally unveiled earlier this month with the launch of an eco-certification scheme for the State's hospitality sector. This voluntary certification programme has been developed by the eco-tourism wing of the Tourism Department and will offer hotels and resorts three levels of membership based on their conformity to certain specifications, Mr Mohanlal explained.

The eco-certification initiative will soon be extended to other segments of the tourism industry such as tour operators and destination managers, he added.

Established with the mandate to make Kerala an eco-friendly destination, the eco-tourism wing of the Department of Tourism has identified 56 places in the State that have the potential to be developed as eco-tourism centres. In fact, one such eco-tourism destination has already been developed at Thenmala in Kollam district.

More Stories on : Tourism | Environment | Kerala

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