Jungle camps to provide accommodation for high-end nature lovers and outdoor interpretation panels to create awareness of eco-conservation will be set up in Thenmala Ecotourism, the country's first planned ecotourism destination.The interpretation panels will be installed at a cost of Rs.3 lakh by the Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society (TEPS) in association with the Kerala chapter of World Wide Fund for Nature-India. The 25 panels on various environment-related themes will be installed along pathways and other recreational centres in the leisure zone. The panels will figure themes ranging from biodiversity, climate change, global warming to Carbon footprint. The interpretation panels in English will be given a tiled canopy so as to merge with nature and withstand climate. The authorities hope that the outdoor interpretation would help in spreading the message among the younger generation of conserving nature. The local guides will also get an opportunity to explain each aspect to visitors. Thenmala ecotourism has emerged as a favourite destination for educational tours.
The TEPS has also chalked out plans to enhance the information centre with facility for audio-visual and interactive interpretative units. Fresh panels on environment education and ecotourism will be added to the information centre. The facilitation centre with the ticket counter will be made more visitor-friendly.The authorities have also worked out ways to find a solution to the shortage of accommodation for high-end nature lovers. The TEPS has decided to set up jungle camping facility in association with Kerala Tourism in the adventure zone, Mr. Kutty said. Except for the dormitory and tented camping facility provided by the TEPS and a few small private accommodation units, there is hardly any high-end accommodation. The TEPS had proposed setting up of jungle camping facility in association with Kerala Tourism.
The TEPS is on in the process of setting up two units of permanent camping grounds. The authorities are trying to replicate the models used in jungle camps abroad. The first of its kind is a duplex with attached toilets which can accommodate two persons. Apart from this, four permanent platforms will be set up in the adventure zone with toilet facility. These platforms will be suitably designed to pitch tents that can accommodate two and four persons. Already, the tent camps being provided in association with the National Adventure Foundation (NAF) in Thenmala ecotourism is a big hit among the nature lovers who arrive from all areas.
The Hindu, June 10, 2008
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