Kerala - Kochi   

Plan to develop Mulavukad island as model cultural village

K.S. Sudhi

SET TO BE A MODEL: Mulavukad island. - Photo: H. Vibhu

KOCHI: The island village of Mulavukad in Kochi backwaters is all set to become a model cultural village. Plans are afoot to protect the cultural identity of the island and to showcase it as a model cultural village of the State with the assistance of various agencies.

"Mulavukad is an island with several prominent cultural and historic landmarks which need to be protected for posterity. The proposed model cultural village project will be discussed with the islanders and implemented with their cooperation," said K.V. Thomas, MLA, who has taken the initiative.

When it comes to the history of fight against caste discriminations, the role of Pandit Karuppan cannot be ignored. He organised agitations on a platform created atop several country boats in Kochi backwaters. The Dutch Palace at Bolgatty had witnessed quite a few important decisions being taken, which re-wrote the history of the land.

The Vallarpadom church is one of the epitomes of religious amity of the land. Some of the temples at Mulavukad are more that 500 years old, said Prof. Thomas indicating the cultural relevance of the island.

After his discussions with K. Jayakumar, Cultural Secretary of the Central Government, on the proposed project, Prof. Thomas is hopeful of obtaining Central assistance for it. A preliminary discussion was held with the civic administrators regarding the project. An elaborate meeting to discuss the project will be held on July 16.

According to the initial concept drawn up, the documentation of the cultural and historic landmarks of the village, popularisation of the exclusive cuisines and art forms and introduction of home stays will be part of the project.

As a prelude to the popularisation of the concept, a cultural programme featuring the food and art forms of the village will be presented during the Onam celebrations. Discussions are on with the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation regarding the Onam programme, said Prof. Thomas, who also pioneered the model village tourism project in Kumbalanghi village.

People's participation in planning and implementing the projects will be one of the major specialities of the project. All the projects in the island will be implemented by the village panchayat though assistance from various Central and Sate agencies will be made available. The existing narrow road that passes through the island will be widened. The Government permission for making it a 7-metre-wide road has been obtained. Compensation will be awarded to those residents, with holdings below 10 cents and who will lose land for the road project.

Sanitation and waste management programmes will also be implemented with people's participation, Prof. Thomas said.

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

Stories in this Section

Plan to develop Mulavukad island as model cultural village
RTO opens complaint cell at Kakkanad
`Anakottil' ready for tuskers
FACT reviews safety measures
Teachers allege violation of University Act
Dry run for cinemas
Uprooted trees posing a danger
Next issue
KV admission
Around the City
In Kochi Today

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu