Endemic biodiversity that has pitchforked Western Ghats as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is set to make it a hub of Ayurveda-based tourism as well.
The rich medicinal plants reserve along the lofty reaches will provide the backdrop for a new Kerala Tourism campaign focusing on Ayurveda.
NATURAL GIFT
“The States is naturally blessed to be the flag bearer of Ayurveda,” said Kerala Tourism Minister A. P. Anilkumar.
A large number of foreign and domestic tourists for Ayurveda treatment descend on the State since it is an accepted fact it is the most authentic, the minister added.
Kerala is home to over 900 species of Ayurvedic herbs. The ‘Agasthyakoodam’ peak near here is home to some of the rarest medicinal herbs.
Even typical homestead sacred groves or ‘kavu’ across the State are treasure troves of Ayurvedic herbs, a spokesman for Kerala Tourism said.
A quality assurance policy will guide a visitor looking for therapeutic and rejuvenative programmes to ‘green leaf’ and ‘olive leaf’ grading for Ayurvedic institutions.
APPROVED FACILITIES
These are separately marked as Kerala Tourism-approved Ayurvedic centres,’ the spokesman said. The State received 94 lakh domestic visitors last year while the number of foreign tourists was eight lakh.
A majority of them plumping for Ayurveda wellness programmes here were from Germany, the Middle East and Australia. Ayurveda as practised here is essentially wellness-oriented, said Suman Billa, secretary, Kerala Tourism.
“It is a treatment to bring vigour and existence to your system,” he added. Therapy programmes are expected to push the length of holidays for tourists further.