Eco-Tourism in Kerala

The major tourism products are broadly classified as beaches, backwaters, hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries and culture including festivals. The major thrust is to upgrade of the quality of these products and to provide basic infrastructure facilities.

The tourism traffic to Kerala shows an increasing trend over the past few years. The total tourism inflow to Kerala is about 50 lakhs during 1977 and which is 13% more than the previous year. Foreign tourist arrival is about 1082 lakhs. Kerala Government is working on a strategy to increase the foreign tourist inflow to the tune of 5 lakhs by the turn of the century.

The Western Ghats of Kerala with its tropical forest ecosystem provides a natural advantage for development of this segment of tourism.

In order to facilitate the fast growth of tourism sector in Kerala, we have; to diversify our tourism products. The Western Ghat regions of Kerala can be projected as an Ecotourism Zone in true sense. Ecotourism projects the concept of sustainability in tourism. That is, the needs of today's visitor should not be met at the expenses of future generations. Such as ecotourism project, based on internationally accepted principles, will help infuse the sustainability concept to other tourism ventures outside the realm of ecotourism.

1. Kerala has 12 wildlife sanctuaries and two national parks. These may form base for planning ecotourism activities.

2. Apart from these, the rich biological diversity can be an added advantage.

3. The water bodies formed within the forest area due to construction of dams/hydel projects provide scope for recreational facilities.

4. Massive marketing campaign is undertaken by Government of Kerala in the tourism field.

5. Scope for a variety of ecotourism activities such as mountaineering, trekking, bird watching etc.

6. Location advantages such as short distance from seashore, well developed road network upto forest area etc.
7. Forest staff who are well trained in wildlife, ecology etc. and

8. Well informed public and conservation groups who may always be watchful of the adverse impacts if any.

Important ecotourism destinations

1. Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Periyar Tiger Reserve
5. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Eravikulam National Park
7. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
8. Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
9. Chimmini
10. Wildlife Sanctuary
11. Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
12. Silent Valley National Park
13. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
14. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
15. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

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