The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : A jaunt made easy

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Sunday, May 04, 2008
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Kerala - Kochi

A jaunt made easy

Kochi: Kerala Forest department along with Air Deccan, a private airline, has found a new way to entice tourists to Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady.

As part of it, Air Deccan will launch a slew of eco-tourism packages called ‘Simply Fly Periyar’ on Sunday. Captain G. R. Gopinath, executive chairman, Air Deccan, said the new initiative will provide convenient access to the Tiger Reserve and promote responsible tourism.

“It would offer wildlife enthusiasts and leisure travellers the opportunity to travel, stay, explore and experience the wildlife and natural heritage of the Tiger Reserve,” he said.

The packages include travel and stay in the Reserve.

Tourists can stay in specially built eco-lodges and participate in carefully designed adventures activities including conservation efforts. Tourists will fly to either Madurai or Kochi on Air Deccan, from where the forest department will take them to the Reserve.

The Air Deccan-Periyar Tiger Reserve partnership seems to go beyond the commercial interests of the stakeholders. Said Gopinath: “We are committed to a shared vision of preserving our tiger population and natural heritage by engaging local communities in tourism and improving their livelihoods.”

Padma Mohanti, former deputy director of the Reserve said that in the present day scenario, when the wildlife is under threat, we need partners in conservation from all walks of life.

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