Shallow waters, a thick blanket of black sand and bucolic ambience are ideal settings for a drivein beach, but the eight-km long Kodikkal beach near Vadakara remains untapped owing to lack of coordination and foresightedness.
Says Julian, a tourist from Norway, “I was unaware of the spot. I do not know why people from here prefer Kovalam and Muzhappilangad when they have such wonderful beaches. I find the beach here an astounding place to chill out.” According to experts, Kodikkal beach which lies 14 km away from Vadakara and is spread across the three panchayats of Thikkodi, Moodadi and Payyoli, could be developed as an independent tourist destination, and especially as a drive-in beach.
Although residents here have conducted paragliding sessions and other tourismrelated activities to garner the attention of the administration, they have shown scant regard. Similar to Kodikkal, there are other unexploited tourist destinations as well in the coastal belt of North Kerala.
N Prasanth, managing director, KTDC, said that the government concern was willing to make investments to develop the spot, if it holds the requisite potential. “Other than sticking to traditional places we are scouting for newer, unknown destinations. Most of the unexplored destinations are not well documented and are known only to local communities. Compared to Kovalam and Cherai beaches nothing much has been done to develop Kappad or other coastal areas of Malabar,” he said.
The potential of the Kodikkal beach remains unexploited at a time when the 4.5-km long Muzhappilangad beach in Kannur is turning into a noted drive-in destination. “Authorities are completely clueless about the tourism spot. Although we have tried hard time and again to convince the authorities on the tourism potential of the beach, nothing has worked out so far. It is a perfect place, as one can drive without getting stuck in the sand,” said Sivaprasad Kodikkal, a resident in the area.
Local residents have also submitted a petition to the tourism minister demanding that steps be taken to develop the area. “If one were to combine the Iringal craft village, Kunjali Marakkar residence, Velliyamkallu and Kodikkal beach as a package, tourism department can form a must-visit destination circuit in the state to uphold the historical importance of the area,” he added.
Local MLA K Dasan is keen to support the initiative and said that a new tourism promotion strategy is essential to boost the sector. “I will take up the matter with the tourism department and will provide all possible support to develop it as a prime tourism destination in Malabar,” he assured.
