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Sankar Radhakrishnan

The Aralam project, which is about 55 km from Kannur town, is managed by the local tribal community with support from the Forest Department.

Coracle rides on the Cheenkannipuzha River within the Aralam Eco-tourism project area.

Thiruvananthapuram , March 11

WITH the school holidays approaching, North Kerala's first eco-tourism project at the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur district is all set to attract visitors.

The initiative, which was inaugurated recently, is part of the Kerala Government's efforts to promote eco-tourism in the State. The project has been designed to appeal to committed eco-tourists, while simultaneously sensitising ordinary visitors to the benefits of eco-tourism, explained Mr K.G. Mohanlal, Director, Eco-tourism, Government of Kerala.

In keeping with this design, the Aralam initiative offers a series of options that cater to people with different levels of interest in ecotourism.

Visitors on a day-trip can take short treks on the nature trails that have been developed along the fringes of the wildlife sanctuary, attend educational sessions at the information centre, go rafting on a section of the Cheenkannipuzha river that runs through the sanctuary or take a coracle ride on the river.

Other attractions include a ropeway and tree houses at two points within the project area. The dedicated nature lover can opt for an overnight trek into the sanctuary.

Of course, only small groups, which have prior bookings, are allowed on these overnight treks, Mr Mohanlal said.

The Aralam project, which is about 55 km from Kannur town, has also been designed to involve the local tribal community. It is managed by the local community with support from the Kerala Forest Department and is a good example of inter-departmental cooperation between the forest and tourism departments, Mr Mohanlal pointed out. The tourism department has invested about Rs 10 lakh in establishing tourist amenities in the project area, he added.

Several other eco-tourism projects, with participation from the local community and the forest department, are in various stages of development, he said. 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.

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