As UNESCO has declared Western Ghats as the world heritage site, the State government will take a practical approach in carrying out future tourism development activities in this region, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
Inaugurating the development works of the Kakkayam-Peruvannamuzhi Tourism Project at a function held at Kakkayam on Saturday, Chief Minister further said that State’s tourism policy would be environment-friendly.
Referring to the Madhav Gadgil Committee report on Western Ghats, he said that recommendations of the committee would not be totally ignored. “Protection of the environment is meant for the future and government will not take any threat to environment lightly.”
Chief Minister further said that there is a need to tie environment and tourism with practicality and thus we can tap various tourism development opportunities in the tate. From our part, state government is engaged in formulating several projects, he added.
Oommen Chandy also said that the government would try get the nod for the construction of 80km forest road in Kakkayam. “I will take up the matter with the Forest Minister. If it falls under the jurisdiction of the state government, the decision will be taken immediately or else will bring it to the notice of Union government. Government will also consider options of handing over the Forest Department road for public use,” Chief Minister added.
After receiving petitions from children demanding the government to provide security to their lives from the threat of wild animals, Chief Minister said that he would ask the District Collector to submit a report pointing out the options available to tackle the issue. Government’s policy is to protect wild animals while at the same time provide security to farmers and to the rest of the people, he added.
Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar presided over the function. M K Raghavan MP, Purushan Kadalundy MLA, K Kunhammed Master MLA, District Collector K V Mohan Kumar and others were also present at the function.