The Hindu – 23rd Apr, 2012
Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar has said that the State government will give due importance to the comprehensive development of tourism destinations in the Malabar region.
He was speaking after inaugurating renovation work at Pookode Lake, a major tourism destination in Wayanad, on Sunday.
Mr. Anil Kumar said though nature had gifted her bounties in abundance to Malabar, especially Wayanad, the changing governments could not fully tap its tourism potential. The United Democratic Front government planned to focus on the comprehensive tourism development of the region.
The environment, climate, and cultural background of Wayanad were unique, and these were quite favourable to the development of the tourism industry, Mr. Anil Kumar said. The government would give prime importance to eco-friendly projects, he said.
Mr. Anil Kumar said the State government had earmarked Rs.12 crore for development of existing tourism destinations and had submitted a Rs.100-crore master plan for implementing a major tourism project in the Karapuzha reservoir area.
He said many a tourism destination in the district could not accommodate visitors during the peak season but the situation would change after the expansion of other destinations.
He promised the support of the Tourism Department for realising the ‘En Uru’ project of the Scheduled Tribe Department in the hospitality sector.
He also launched water sports equipment such as aquatic zorbs and water cycles on the occasion.
Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Tribes and Youth Affairs P.K. Jayalakshmi inaugurated the construction work under the ‘En Uru’ project.
M.V. Sreyamskumar, MLA, presided over the function.
Reference: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3344063.ece