The Hindu : Kerala News : Responsible route in tourism

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Monday, Mar 17, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala

Responsible route in tourism

The local economies at Kumarakom, Thekkady, Kovalam and Wayanad are set to boom with the formal launch of the destination-level Responsible Tourism committees in these locales.

This initiative will ensure that hotels and other shops procure their requirements directly from farmers and other local producers, instead of buying items brought to the market from other States.

Responsible Tourism consultant of Kerala Tourism Prasanth Kumar Nellikal said a socio-economic and environmental-impact assessment of the destinations was being carried out.

The socio-economic study was aimed at encouraging increased production of agricultural and other produce.

“Under this, we found that hotels are heavily dependant on vegetables, fruits etc. that come from neighbouring States. Every day, most of the hotels in the tourist locales need two to five kilogram of curry leaves alone. The hoteliers were only too willing to buy local produce that would be of better quality and have less of pesticides,” he said.

Kudumbasree’s role

The local are rearing to go with micro-enterprises of the Kudumbasree expressing their confidence in cultivating vegetables and fruits, apart from rearing livestock. They are also up to the task of making maida, wheat powder, pickles etc. for the hotels.

The authorities are in full swing with local-level groups already identified and trained for the purpose. Production has started with short-term crops.

Agricultural officers and veterinarians would be roped in to support the communities.

Local self-government bodies at each destination have been entrusted with carrying out this pilot project.

“In places like Kumarakom, over 90 per cent of tourist hotels now buy local goods,” Mr. Prasanth said.

This initiative will go a long way in bridging the long-standing gulf between the communities and hoteliers in tourism spots.

John L. Paul

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