UDF’s tourism policy will be environment friendly: CM

KOZHIKODE:  The tourism policy of the UDF government would be environmentally friendly, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here Saturday.


He was speaking after inaugurating work on the Kakkayam-Peruvannamuzhi tourism project at nearby Kakkayam.


Chandy said environmental concerns would not be ignored and that environment protection was meant for the future.


On representation from students for protecting wild animals in forest areas, he said he would ascertain from the District Collector K V Mohankumar, steps that could be taken in this regard.


Kerala tourism minister, A P Anil Kumar, presided.


Mohankumar said the Centre has accorded Rs 5 crore for tourism development at Peruvannamuzhy-Kakkayama dam site. Under the project, Rs 2.19 crore had been earmarked for Kakkayam dam site alone for construction of four boat jetties, a cafeteria, a pavilion, toilet block and view towers, he said.


The project envisages establishment of a spice garden, amphitheatre and a children's area with an eye on attracting foreign tourists. Development of these tourism destinations is expected to augment the tourism profile of the district and the project would be implemented within 30 months.


An amount of Rs 2.66 crore has been earmarked for setting up four boat jetties, pavilions, toilet block, watch towers, cafeteria and development of islands at Peruvannamuzhi.


Among those attended were M K Raghavan, MP.