Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Prevention of river pollution, tourism development on the agenda

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A proposal for rejuvenation of the Karamana river is now before various agencies such as the Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority, the District Tourism Development Council, the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation and the Water Resources Department.

The proposal, made by V.M. Valsalan, adviser to the State government on Inter-State river waters, envisages cleaning up of the river by plugging the sources of pollution and development of its banks in the city into a tourist haven.

The river, which originates in the Chemmunji hills on the Western Ghats, gets polluted as it enters the city limits. The city’s waste, including sewage, is thrown into the river, making it unfit even for bathing.

If water flowing through the city is kept clean, many facilities to attract tourists can be set up along the banks. The proximity of Kovalam will add interest to the location.

Cruises can be arranged through the river and restaurants, concert halls and other entertainment facilities, Ayurvedic centres, banks, parks and other tourist facilities can be developed on the banks.

Mr. Vasalan has suggested that land on either side of the river be frozen as a prelude to the implementation of the project. Ecological and environmental parameters for maintenance of the river should be prescribed and a river authority constituted to evolve rules and procedure for river development and undertaking various works. The authority should be given legal backing.

People owning land on the river side can be encouraged to take up their own projects or big companies, including foreign ones, can be invited to take up overall development in a big way, he says.

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

Stories in this Section

Entrance for medical super-specialty
Malabar Sanctuary to be set up this year
Local bodies fail on the agriculture front
Grama panchayats told to take the lead
Drawing inspiration from dance
Four new research centres soon
National award for KWA
Retail outlet sealed within hours of inauguration
A race against time to pass supplementary exams
Prevention of river pollution, tourism development on the agenda
In Thiruvananthapuram Today

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu