In a bid to promote and improve the tourism potential at various tourist hot spots in the district, the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) will set up new facilities and develop the Arippara waterfalls.
DTPC officials said that they expect to start the developmental activities by June.
The Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO) has been entrusted with the task to carry out the proposed works.
The works at the Arippara waterfalls include the beautification of the area, landscaping, construction of seating facilities, walkway, compound wall, hand rails, toilet, well, road renovation etc.
Officials also said that they plan to start small outlets and install sign boards in the area to provide information to tourists.
“Arippara is one of the growing tourist destinations in the district.
But it lacks basic amenities and DTPC has decided to increase the tourism potential by setting up new facilities here.
“For the purpose, the state government has already allocated Rs 49.19 lakh and entrusted the work with SIDCO.
“The tendering process is in the final stages and we hope that the work will commence by June,” said an official at the DTPC office in Mananchira.
DTPC had recently performed an initial development activity of around Rs 6 lakh in Arippara which included setting up of a ticket counter.
Arippara Waterfalls lies next to the Iruvanji River near Thiruvambady. The terrain being rocky and steep, cascades are formed along the course of the river.
The second phase in the development of Arippara comes at a time when tourists, including foreigners in large numbers, have started to explore the curvy hilly terrains and the waterfalls in the midst of the habitation in the north-east part of the district.
The region also promises adventure for trekkers, especially on the trek to Vellarimala.