Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Tourism has tied up with local self-Government institutions for launching a scheme to ensure the participation of the people at the grassroots level in the planning and implementation of tourism projects.

The scheme

The scheme, to be launched by Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan on Wednesday, envisages developing places of interest as tourist destinations and providing financial support for them on a priority basis. Development of tourism, now State-controlled, would be decentralised with the launching of the scheme "My Village, A Tourism-Friendly Village."

A senior official of Kerala Tourism told The Hindu that the scheme aimed at developing attractive centres, products and activities within villages, which were beneficial to the local people and the tourists, with the support of the local bodies.

As per the scheme, Kerala Tourism would provide 50 per cent of the funds needed for the scheme from Plan funds. The local bodies would have to find the remaining 50 per cent for the project through their own sources.

Construction works

The local bodies could take up construction of walkways to toilets and cloak rooms. The financial support to be provided by Kerala Tourism would be 50 per cent of the total cost subject to a maximum of Rs.10 lakhs.

The proposals of the scheme would have to be consolidated at the level of the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) headed by the District Collector. The approval of the District Planning Committee had to be sought before forwarding the proposal to the headquarters of Kerala Tourism.

A senior official of Kerala Tourism said that the department had set two conditions for extending financial support under the scheme. Funds would not be provided for construction of roads or resurfacing.

"Adequate plan funds are available for taking up projects under the scheme this year and the plan is to implement at least 10 projects in each district of the State this year itself," he added.

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