Departments spar over counter

There seems to be confusion over the ownership of the Ernakulam boat jetty, benefitting the private tourism lobby.As the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) and the Kerala tourism department “sort out the ownership issue”, a private operator based in Fort Kochi is all set to open a ticket counter inside the jetty.

“We have written to the Tourism Director to immediate cancel permission. How can one start a parallel service from the government-run boat jetty,” SWTD director Shaji V Nair told Deccan Chronicle.
 

The new development comes after both the agencies arrived at a consensus over the ownership issue at a high level meet held at the Ernakulam guest house last month. It is learnt that the tourism department had agreed not to operate its boats from the jetty. “A final decision over the real authority is yet to be clarified,” Nair said.

When asked, a top tourism department official said that no private or tourism boats will be operated out of the jetty, and the counter is simply for interested tourists.

“It is a threat to our operations. Already, passengers are bogged down by congestion woes as during peak hours, one can witness long queues. So setting up another counter inside the building is not acceptable,” the SWTD official said.

Meanwhile, passengers complain that basic facilities are neglected by officials.

“For the last one month, the toilets are closed, citing water shortage problem in the jetty located right near the water body. The lack of lighting facilities and open drainage pose a threat to commuters,” said Francis J, a resident of Fort Kochi.

Pathiramanal island on the verge of extinction

ALAPPUZHA: Pathiramanal Island, the paradise of migratory birds in the Vembanad Lake, is on the verge of extinction. The 91 hectares island has shrunk to 60 hectares owing to illegal sand mining. In addition to this, waste materials,including plastic, dumped by tourists have been polluting the island.

The island was bought by A C M Anthraper of Cherthala from the Bheemji Devaji Trust of Kochi in the 1960s. In 1979, the Land Reforms Act was implemented and the government took over the island from Anthraper terming it surplus land.   Later, the government relocated 14 families in the island to mainland Kayippuram in Muhamma panchayat. Though the government had planned various programmes to beautify the island, nothing got materialized.In 1987, the then government proposed a `5-crore projects to convert the island into an international tourist spot and the foundation stone laying ceremony was held at Kayippuram. But, the project went only that far.

The previous LDF government also initiated some steps to convert the island. But, that too was abandoned later. The Tourism Department and the KITCO had formulated a project for the construction of pathways and toilet blocks in the island.  But, the nature lovers approached High Court against the move and got it stayed. However, the court recently gave the nod to construct a pathway in the island without harming its ecology.

Meanwhile, the previous government’s move to hand over the island to private parties on long lease invited protests from various quarters. The nature lovers said that the intention of the government was to sell the island to private parties. Thomas Kalappura, president of Green Society, an NGO, said that the move of the government agencies was to sell the eco park to private parties.

http://expressbuzz.com/states/kerala/Pathiramanal-island-on-the-verge-of-extinction/359324.html

Kerala annual budget proposes two new airports at Wayanad and Idukki

Proposes setting up Kerala Tourism Promotion Board, Ayurvedic University to boost tourism

In a bid to boost tourism and connectivity in the state, the Annual Budget for the state of Kerala, presented by KM Mani, Finance Minister, Government of Kerala in the State Assembly today, proposed an allocation of Rs 50 crore for a feasibility study of two new airports at Idukki and Wayanad in Kerala. Additionally, as a step to boost connectivity in the state, the Minister also proposed construction of airstrips for small aircraft in all districts of the state. “The land for construction of airstrips has already been identified in Kottayam and Kollam. The projects would be taken up and completed in the financial year 2012-13 itself,” Mani said.

The budget also proposed a slew of measures for the tourism sector in the state. It proposed setting up a Kerala Tourism Promotion Board with an initial allocation of Rs 15 crore. Additionally, in a boost to Wellness Tourism in the state, the Finance Minister proposed to set up an Ayurvedic University in Malappuram district to undertake research in traditional Ayurvedic medicinal practices.

 

http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/kerala-annual-budget-proposes-two-new-airports-at-wayanad-and-idukki-15946

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