PATHANAMTHITTA:Adavi eco-tourism centre, located 13 km from Konni town in the deep forests, is fast turning into an important tourist destination.
Launched as a eco-tourism centre by Revenue and Coir Minister in August 2014, an aggregate number of four lakh tourists, including hundreds of foreign tourists, have already paid a visit to the flora and fauna of the unique tourist centre. Located on the banks of Kallar river, bowl boat ride is the star attraction for tourists.
Having a capacity to accommodate five people, including a child, the oarsmen of the traditional craft will offer a 30-minute ride on the river. With the arrival of 13 additional bowl boats from Okkanakkal in Tamil Nadu, the total number of the boats stood at 23.
The Vana Samrakshana Samithis, the self-help groups comprising families settled on the fringe areas of the forest, formed under the initiative of the Forest Department, are involved in the operation and maintenance of the bowl boats and manage the lone restaurant to supply food items of local flavour, according to Joy Xavier, president of the Elimullumplackal Vanasamrakshana Samithi, who manages the task of the tourism centre on a rotation basis.
With the completion of the six tree-huts, built on tree branches at a cost of Rs 36 lakh by the public sector Bamboo Corporation by July 15, Adavi is all set to attract more tourists, Joy Xavier said.