THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the tourism season gathers momentum with visitor arrivals steadily rising, the iconic Varkala cliff and Papanasam beach continue to present a grim picture of neglect despite their status as an ecologically sensitive geo-heritage site on the Unesco tentative list.
The laterite cliff is now marred by safety, sanitation, and environmental concerns. Tourists are greeted by poorly -lit pathways. Littered beaches and untreated sewage flowing directly into the sea and onto the shore — owing to the lack of proper liquid-waste management among several hoteliers — have become major turn-offs for visitors. Adding to the discomfort is the growing menace of stray dogs.
Inadequate maintenance has left walkways, public amenities, and view points in a deteriorated condition.
Meanwhile, the ambitious Varkala Master Plan — designed by Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Limited to offer comprehensive solutions ranging from improved waste management and organised parking to enhanced pedestrian facilities and cliff conservation — remains in a limbo.
It is notable that the destination received 5.98 lakh domestic tourists and 19,749 foreign tourists last year.