The Hindu : Dharmadom tourism project unlikely to materialise

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 28, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Dharmadom tourism project unlikely to materialise

By Mohamed Nazeer

KANNUR JULY 27. The small enchanting island, Dharmadom Thuruth, situated hardly 50 metres from the southern end of the palm-fringed Muzhappilangad beach, is still to become what a comprehensive tourism project for the district envisages it to be. Far from being a major tourist spot as part of the Integrated Tourism Project for Kannur initiated by the previous LDF Government, this patch of land surrounded by waters of the sea and the Anjarakkandy river now faces the possibility of being remembered as part of a stillborn project. Dharmadom Thuruth, near the Muzhappilangad beach between Kannur and Thalassery, would have been a major tourist destination if all those dream projects conceived for the facelift of the beach as part of the Integrated Kannur Tourism Project had materialised. With those projects almost abandoned, thanks to various factors, the `thuruth', which was acquired from its owner for Rs. 26 lakhs in February 2001, is now largely seen as a liability to the Government. While the District Tourism Promotion Council officials say that efforts are under way to give new proposals for developing the beach and the island as a major tourist destination in the district, moves are allegedly under way to give it back to its original owner.

The `thuruth' lies across the Anjarakkandy river at the point of convergence of the river and the sea. During low tide, one can wade through the waters to reach there. It was envisaged in the tourism project for the district that the island could be developed to attract tourists. Now, the `thuruth' is no longer considered an area for tourism development due to various factors.

A major handicap of the `thuruth' is that no permanent construction is possible there because of Coastal Zone Regulations (CRZ). The proposal for setting up a ropeway linking the beach and the island was discarded when the agency entrusted to study the proposal put the estimated cost of the project at Rs. 1 crore. This proposal was not financially viable because an estimate Rs. 1 lakh will be required annually for its maintenance. The higher prospect of the ropeway exposed to the sea water getting corroded has also been considered before its rejection.

An alternative proposal for constructing a bridge was rejected on grounds that it would destroy the uniqueness of the island. Another dream project for setting up an oceanarium remains as an idea in the project report by the CMRFI. The Government has now asked the DTPC to submit any alternative proposal.

``Dharmadom Thuruth can be developed as an ideal camping site with private participation, but it has to be further examined whether or not this alternative proposal can be worked out,'' says the DTPC secretary, E.C. Raveendran. Now the Government has asked the DTPC to submit a fresh proposal as to what to do with the island, he says.

It has also been alleged that moves are under way to hand over the thuruth to its original owner. A LDF member raised in the district panchayat meeting the suspected moves to transfer the island back to its original owner. The fact that the owner of the `thuruth' is a BJP worker has lent credence to the earlier allegation that its acquisition by the LDF Government in its last term was politically motivated.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News Update

Stories in this Section

Karunakaran demands leadership change

Eden laid to rest

State drama awards presented

Protest against 'graft' in sand-mining sector

'Sexual abuse' of minor: six held

Litigation delays road, bridge works: Muneer

'T.N. criminal gangs in State'

Temple elephants have ayurvedic treatment

Galleries lack professionalism, says artist

Tribal medicine formulae being usurped: study

Peermade tea estates headed for disastrous phase

Dharmadom tourism project unlikely to materialise