The Hindu : Kerala News : No nod for projects that harm environment: Kodiyeri

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Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008
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No nod for projects that harm environment: Kodiyeri

Staff Reporter

20 per cent rise in the number of tourists visiting Kerala; revenue up by 25 per cent
Tourism Department to launch projects in cooperation with other departments

Thumburmuzhi (Thrissur): Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said the government will not give the nod to tourism projects that harm the environment. He was addressing a meeting at the inauguration of a restaurant, a cloak room and a bathing ghat as part of the Thumburmuzhi development project.

“The Grand Kerala Shopping Festival is intended to make Kerala an international shopping destination. The government is committed to making tourist spots in the State waste-free. Hence, it has launched the Responsible Tourism project. This year, the government will spend Rs. 250 crore (the highest amount in the department’s history) for tourism development.

There was 20 per cent rise in the number of tourists and 25 per cent increase in tourism revenue last year.

Most of the tourists are from Europe.

There are visitors from China too. Efforts are on to exploit unused space in government quarters to accommmodate tourists. The Potta-Athirappilly road will be developed with the help of NABARD,” he said. The tourism department was planning to launch several projects in association with other departments, Mr. Kodiyeri said. Minister for Water Resources N. K. Premachandran said that a few irrigation initiatives in the State had the technical merits and long-term vision of the Thumboomuzhi project. “Since 1951, this project has served the irrigation needs of a large tract using very little money.”

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