Rs 2 crore plan for new eco-tourism centres

PATHANAMTHITTA: The draft project report on the three new eco-tourism centres of Kakki, Anathode and Moozhiyar is ready for approval of the Forest Department authorities.Talking to Express, Ranni DFO R Kamalahar said that the draft report on the development of the proposed eco-tourism locations, at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore, would be submitted to the department authorities immediately after a meeting with vanasamrakshana samithis and representatives of the people living in the fringe areas of the forest on June 21.Kamalahar said that the need for the identifying new eco-tourism locations in forest areas under Ranni forest division arose after the Gavi and Kochu Pampa forest areas were brought under Periyar Tiger Reserve a few months ago.  After coming under the purview of PTR, the sanctuary authorities imposed restrictions on the arrivals of tourists to 100 persons a day.New FacilitiesKamalahar said that the facilities planned at Kakki, Anathode and Moozhiyar would be done after ensuring the protection and preservation of wildlife, flora and fauna of the evergreen forests.  Huts, boating facilities at Kakki, make-shift huts on the tree-tops, information centres at select locations and sale outlets for the forest produce are among the schemes included in the draft plan, Kamalahar said. He said that preliminary discussions have already been held with the local people residing in the fringe areas for their involvement in the new eco-tourism centres.The deployment of tourist guides and running of shops for marketing the forest produce would be entrusted to members of the vanasamrakshna samithis and to the people living in the fringe areas of  forests, he said.Kamalahar said boating facility is planned at Kakki reservoir in view of availability of adequate water-level round the year.Under the draft plan, for the attraction of tourists and uninterrupted service, two boats would be introduced initially, he said.