KOCHI: Spirituality and nature have been intertwined from time immemorial, a relationship that has been highlighted by the lives of our great seers. For those who want to take a nature sojourn in search of wellness and spirituality, the state government’s move to submit a revised plan for its ambitious Athirappilly-Kalady-Malayattoor-Kodanad tourism project is a happy news. The government plans to submit the revised project in a month.
The detailed project report (DPR) of the tourism project was first submitted to the Central government a few months ago. However, the Center directed the state government to submit a revised DPR after including the development of the spiritual centers in the tourism circuit project. The project mooted under the ‘Swadesh Darshan’ initiative of the Central government, aims to tap the tourism and pilgrimage potential of the region and is estimated to cost Rs 99 crore.
According to the office of Innocent, MP, the consultancy agency GITPAC International - which prepared the master plan for the project, is working on the revised DPR. The revised DPR will be submitted to the Center in a month. As part of the project, the infrastructural facilities at various tourist destinations in the circuit will be developed.
Developing a cycle route between Malayattoor-Ezhattumugham road, setting up of a museum to exhibit the works and relics of Adi Sankara at his birthplace, constructing accommodation facilities and toilets at various spots, developing the road connecting tourist destinations like Athirappilly, Ezhuttumugam, Malayattoor church, Kalady, Kanjoor church, Iringolkavu, Nagancherry mana, elephant kraal at Kodanad, and Abhayaranyam, a nature appreciation centre set up by the State Forest Department at Kaprikad are some of the works envisaged in the project, said officials.
As part of the project, places and destinations on the circuit that have cultural and heritage values besides buildings that have an architectural importance will be conserved and preserved. Since the tourism project connects various eco-sensitive spots in the region, due consideration will be given to conserving the biodiversity of the region and development works will be carried out without upsetting the bio-diversity of the region, said the officials.
The proposed spiritual and nature tourism project will give a boost to the tourism potential of the region especially Athirappilly, Vazhachal and Thumboormuzhi. The Athirappilly- Thumpoormuzhi - Vazhachal Destination Management Council has been organising a jungle safari through the region for the past couple of years, said Tourism Promotion Council executive officer Manesh Sebastian.
Buoyed by the success of the event, DMC is set to organise an exclusive jungle safari for students at a subsidised rate from this year. As part of the project, the students will be introduced to wildlife and nature. It aims to create awareness on the need to preserve nature and its treasures, apart from being a pleasure trip. The project will further catalyse the tourism potential of the region, he said.
A tourism project
The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 99 crore, which will be met jointly by the Central and state governments.
Once implemented, the project would redefine the potential of Athirappilly, Ezhattumugham, Malayattoor church, Kalady, Kanjoor church, Iringolkavu, Nagancherry mana, elephant kraal at Kodanad, and Abhayaranyam, a nature appreciation centre set up by the State Forest Department at Kaprikad on the tourism map
Kalady, located on the outskirts of Ernakulam district and the banks of legendary river Periyar, has been identified as a popular Hindu religious destination as it is the birthplace of Adi Sankara.
Malayattoor village on the North Eastern side of Ernakulam, is a prominent Christian pilgrimage centre that accommodates Malayattoor Church and St Thomas Church attracting domestic and international visitors
Athirappilly, in Thrissur, is famous for its waterfalls and has found place in numerous films
Kanjoor church, Iringolkavu, Nagancherry mana, elephant kraal at Kodanad, and Abhayaranyam, a nature appreciation centre set up by the State Forest Department at Kaprikad, are some of the spots that are yet to be developed as full-fledged pilgrim and tourist centers