Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
Up... up in the air... soaring high
|
Adventure sports have yet to take off in Kerala. Except for a few small organisations, few are interested. Tourism can cash in on adventure sports in a big way too. Lensman MAHESH HARILAL was up in the sky with his camera.
|
TOURISM SHOULD evolve, like anything else, to survive long. Kochi cannot afford to bank on its usual hot spots and events to keep the flow of tourists going forever. Fresh experiences must emerge. Like parasailing, with a lot of scope for development.
Soaring high on a specially designed parachute that provides a colourful canopy, strapped on, grasping the rope, towed behind a jeep with the inch thick rope the only thing between the man airborne and the ground below, challenging the forces of wind, with a spectacular view of the sea on one side, the lighthouse dwarfed below you, is simply an unforgettable experience at Puthuvype.
Blessed with golden stretches of virgin beaches and miles of gleaming backwaters, this city, like so many destinations in the State, only needs to introduce some activities to make these natural resources viable. Water Sports is another. Surprisingly, some of them have remained as demonstration events, like at the official inauguration of the Cherai Beach, still never linked directly with tourism.
The Department of Youth Affairs has embarked on a project aimed at the popularisation of a few adventure sports. The first phase, of identifying suitable venues across the State, has been completed. It goes without saying that most of these places like Munnar, Vagamon, Kochi etc. are popular tourist destinations too. "Many States, like Goa and Delhi, have realised the potential of water and adventure sports. The National Institute of Water Sports in Goa has helped in turning Goa into a much sought after water sports tourist destination. Every Sunday at the Safardarjung Airport in Delhi we have parasailing and this event is heavily publicised at restaurants, hotels and tourist information kiosks. I feel it is time we though on these lines too," says Wing Commander (Retd.) Unni Krishnan Palat, who has been instrumental in creating awareness for adventure sports in the State.
Except for the Kochi Refineries Limited, which has an adventure sports club and the Rotract Club, Thripunithura, there have hardly been any serious promoters for these activities in Kochi.
"We did power sailing at Cherai and it went off well. Parasailing has been on here for sometime now. It would be good if the authorities concerned, like the District Tourist Promotion Council perhaps, could have this as a regular affair, like on weekends, at some of the tourist spots where these activities can be conducted. Another activity, which is sure to be successful, is water trekking. We could have small groups with a trained guide taken on boats for a three or four day ride through the backwaters or rivers of the State. They could halt and camp at the villages along the shore making it one way to see the State," feels Wg. Cdr. Palat.
"Parasailing is safe, fun and easy. There is no need for any special skill and anyone can do it. You can fly alone and we can also have specially made equipment for tandem flying. We have so many small boys and girls joining us every time we have this event," explains KRL's Motilal Meena, another ex-serviceman, who has been through all these adventures with Wg. Cdr. Palat.
"The last time we had a parasailing event at Puthuvype we had a brave young handicapped boy, he was sixty per cent handicapped, do this. And when he landed after a short stint of flying he was thrilled beyond words," says Wg. Cdr. Palat.
With long, undisturbed stretches of beach, Puthuvype can be an ideal venue for sports like this. Lack of support from governmental agencies, sometimes out of sheer ignorance of the potential of these activities, has stood in the way of turning activities like parasailing into popular tourist activities. It is time they shook off their closed mind-set and soar high and free in the open skies.
K. P.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
|
