Innovative projects to give sanctuaries a new lease of life

Giji K. Raman
KATTAPPANA,  
The Hindu, March 16, 2015 

To encourage tourists and protect the biodiversity of the area, innovative projects will be introduced at the Idukki wildlife and Thattekkad bird sanctuaries. Idukki Wildlife Warden P.R. Suresh said that a meeting of the top officials of the Forest Development Agency held recently sanctioned projects for the sanctuaries.

Trekking and boating facilities will be introduced in the Idukki reservoir, he said. A 20-seater boat will do four one-hour cruises within the reservoir. “There will be four trips daily and for a single person, Rs 200 will be charged,” he said. The packages will help boost the tourism potential of areas like Memari, Kathitheppan, Kollathikavu, Kothapara and Koovalettom inside the Idukki sanctuary and Urulanthanni, Sathrapady, Puramala and Koottampara of Thattekkad sanctuary. The meeting also decided to create self employment schemes for local tribal people through apiculture, increase milk production and create value added products. Tribal people living inside the forest will benefit most from the scheme as they would be provided training to work as guides. According to G. Jayachandran, assistant wildlife warden of Idukki sanctuary, a view tower will be constructed at Thattekkad in addition to Salim Ali Bird Trail, a programme to introduce birds to visitors.