PYTHALMALA (KANNUR): The Minister for Tourism, K.C. Venugopal, said here on Saturday that Pythalmala would be developed into a major ecotourism destination with the Government sanctioning works estimated at Rs. 3.31 crores for developing infrastructure.

Inaugurating the Pythalmala Tourism Complex and Ecotourism Project, the Minister said the initiative, which was part of the Integrated Northern Circuit Scheme of the Union Government, envisaged camping areas, facilities for providing camping equipment, an information centre, trekking routes and view points, signage and toilets.

Stating that the project would play a decisive role in the development of tourism in north Malabar, Mr. Venugopal noted that the region had diverse destinations ranging from beaches, including those at Muzhappilangad, Meenkunnu, Payyambalam and Bekal, to pilgrim centres and hills. It had the potential to become a tourism circuit, and the State Government had started infrastructure projects with that in mind. The proposed Kannur airport which had been given sanction in principle by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation would help the tourism potential of the region take wings, he said.

The Minister said the Pythalmala eco-development project, estimated at Rs. 60 lakhs, would be implemented by the Vana Samrakshana Samiti involving local people. The project would be completed in six months, he said.

The tourism complex, estimated at Rs. 1.72 crores, would have dormitories, staff quarters, rooms, a conference hall, restaurant and so on. Mr. Venugopal said the complex was part of the Integrated Development of High Range Tourism Circuit Scheme of the Union Government. The buildings would be in Kerala style of architecture, matching the background of the hills and greenery. The Government had sanctioned Rs. 99 lakhs for developing the Pottanplavu-Maniyanikavala-Pythalmala road, he added.

The MLA K.C. Joseph presided over the function. The Ecotourism Director, K.G. Mohanlal, was present.

Earlier, the Minister walked up the hill through the trekking path. He said development works that would damage the environment of the area would not be carried out under the project.

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