Kerala - Kochi   

Struggling to keep the charm intact Tourism Trail

Photo: H. Vibhu

Netting hope: The Chinese fishing nets, an integral part of the scenic backwaters in Kochi, gradually fading into oblivion.

KOCHI: The tourist season is around the corner in the State and Fort Kochi, one of the major tourist hubs in southern India, is preening itself to receive guests.

This, despite the fact that the sea has taken over a good share of the beach.

Hardly 10 Chinese fishing nets dot the beach, a place which had over 20 of these alluring structures a few years ago. The less said the better about real-estate developers remodelling or pulling down heritage buildings to suit their commercial interests, in gross violation of norms.

Fort Kochi may outlive this blitzkrieg by nature and humans.

The Central Government has released Rs. 10 crore from its tsunami-rehabilitation funds for protecting the beach and creating additional tourist amenities in the picturesque locale.

The Tourism Department has forwarded to the State Government a design for beautifying the beach and nearby areas using the fund. District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish said that the walkway would be extended to the Mahatma Gandhi beach on one side and the Kamalakadavu Jetty on the other side.

Flower beds, fountains, an open-air theatre and landscaping of the area too had been planned, he said.

The Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO) will be in charge of the technical supervision of the works.

So far, no steps have been taken to hand over the 32 idling food courts to eligible vendors. And no scheme is on the anvil to help the operators of Chinese fishing nets tide over the crisis facing them.

Sans the nets, the town will soon be devoid of a major attraction.

The convenor of the Kerala Chapter of INTACH – Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, K.J. Sohan said that apart from helping fishermen who own the nets, urgent measures were required to repair roads in the tourist zone. “Vehicles should be restricted from entering the heritage streets and Vasco Da Gama Square, where people prefer to walk. The antique lamp posts have to be repaired and lit at night.”

Tourist-friendly commercial areas could be developed in the periphery of Fort Kochi. The Gujarati Road is popular for shops selling traditional herbs and spices, while Jew Town is a hub for handicrafts. The Palace Road can be developed into a place where there are many popular eateries, said Mr. Sohan.

Residents have for long been demanding that the local police and the tourism police get tough on anti-social elements.

The authorities must ensure cleanliness of the place, where people prefer to walk or cycle around, said Edgar Pinto, the owner of a heritage hotel in Fort Kochi.

He lamented that many domestic visitors litter the area with plastic waste.

Fort Kochi is one among the places where foreign tourists outnumber local residents, during the peak of the tourist season.

It was (and hopefully will be) a silent and safe refuge for those who want to relax in the confines of a sleepy town – once home to the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English.

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