Kerala - Palakkad   

Tourism project at Mangalam dam

Staff Reporter

PALAKKAD: The State Government has given the sanction for a new tourism project at Mangalam dam, a continuation of the famous Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, 35 km from Palakkad town.

On the basis of the Government Order, the irrigation wing gave permissive sanction to the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) to implement the project in the reservoir and its surrounding areas controlled by it.

The main objective of the project is to ``develop a garden at Mangalam dam as a first step to augment the tourism potential of the area. To provide additional facilities for recreation, boating will be provided within the reservoir. It increases the entertainment potential of the area and will be a feasible side of development.''

Prime attraction

The water base of the reservoir stretches over 15 km in the lap of Sahya ranges connected to other beautiful tourism destinations like Kunchiyarpathy and Nelliampathy Hills.

The amphitheatre of green clad mountain, ornate with serene blue waters having close link with nature, and water that always been prime attraction for tourists, he said

There are a number of small and large islands within the reservoir, which can be developed as picnic centres, the projec report said.

But the Government took more than five years to give sanction for the project submitted by the DTPC in 2000.

The tourism project estimated to cost Rs.54.6 lakh at 2000-rate will be many times more now due to cost escalation. The project will come up in 13 acres of land under the irrigation wing at Kizhakkencherry village. The garden has an area of 10,3000 sq. m. The major attraction will be the introduction of houseboats and fibre boats in the reservoir. It will have a children's park, fountains, watch tower, Mandapam, rain shelters, etc. The dam was commissioned in 1956 and the sanctioning of the new tourism project is a great attraction to the area.

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