KOCHI: The Tourism Department has decided to reinvigorate the Green Carpet initiative in Ernakulam district. Under the initiative, tourism destinations will be developed as eco-friendly spots. The project which was launched one year ago had been in the cold storage since then.According to P G Sivan, joint director, Kerala Tourism Department, nine destinations will be developed under the Green Carpet project. “They are Ernakulam Marine Drive, Fort Kochi, Cherayi, Bhoothathankettu, Ezhatumukham, Kuzhipilly beach, Piravom, Mattancherry and Munnabam.
Under the project, these destinations will be turned into eco-friendly spots. Plastic will be banned at these destinations. Sanitation facilities will be built and proper waste management system will be set up. These tourist spots will also be made disabled-friendly,” he said.
A proposal has been sent to the Tourism Directorate seeking funds to develop these destinations. “An amount of Rs 50 lakh will be needed to develop each destination under the Green Carpet initiative.
We had sent the proposal to the Directorate a few months ago, but it has allotted fund for only one destination. However, we think the government is seriously considering the proposals for the other destinations too,” he said. Under the Green Carpet initiative, development and maintenance of these eco-friendly destinations will be carried out with public participation.
The District Collector will call a meeting of the representatives of the traders, kudumbashree, autorickshaw drivers, taxi drivers, bus operators, NGOs and MLAs next week. “The Green Carpet initiative can turn out to be successful only if it has the full cooperation of the public. We will conduct classes on how to maintain green carpet standards for the public at the local level Such destinations will contribute towards the growth of the tourism industry,” an officer said.