The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Kerala Tourism to rope in students to prepare projects

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 11, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala Tourism to rope in students to prepare projects

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

Development of places having tourism potential
Local bodies to implement the programme

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Tourism is to rope in higher secondary school students for sustainable tourism development of places having tourism potential in the State in association with local bodies.

The eco-tourism wing of Kerala Tourism has worked out the programme ‘Ente Nadu, Ente Swapnam” in association with the Education and the Local Administration Departments.

The students will get an opportunity to prepare project reports and undertake research associated with the projects. Authorities hope to create a ‘project bank’ with the active involvement of students for each panchayat, municipality and Corporation. Once this is done, the local bodies can implement the viable tourism projects.

The programme is aimed at identifying the tourism projects that can be implemented by the local bodies and ensuring the success of the “My village, tourism-friendly village’ and “Unseen Kerala” projects which had been kicked off by Kerala Tourism.

According to the plan, the Nature Club, Tourism Club, National Service Scheme, National Cadet Corps which function in schools will also be roped for the new venture. The proposals have to be worked out under the staff coordinator of the higher secondary school. The services of experts in the field of tourism planning and District Tourism Promotion Councils will be made available to the students.

The project should be environment-friendly, ensure job opportunities to local people and should protect traditional art forms and culture. The students can integrate local festivals and traditions into the project. Any innovative programme aimed at tourism development can be included in it. Trekking, adventure tours, wildlife, bird-watching, lakes, sacred groves, waterfalls and other attractions should be included. The best three projects will be awarded cash prizes at the district level and in the State level.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala