Adventure tourism to uplift Edamalakudy tribes

KOCHI: With an eye to rehabilitate and create vocation for many tribesmen in Edamalakudy, the first tribal grama panchayat in the State, the Forests Department has initiated a new tourism project under which Edamalakudy would be made a destination for adventure tourism. The project will create jobs for many Adivasis who live in dense forest totally cut off from the mainstream. The tourism project similar to the tiger trail trip in Thekkady will be launched by January next year. “The project is to help the socially and economically backward tribesmen in Edamalakudy. The trekking will attract many tourists and help the tribes to generate income from it. Basically we are planning to launch a trekking trip. The tourists will begin the trekking from Kochi accompanied by Forest officials and tribesmen. To reach Edamalakudy one will have to walk more than 18 kilometres through the treacherous path which will take about a day. Temporary stays will be arranged en route for tourists to spend time for sight seeing. They can spot wild animals and watch water falls. The trip will be of three-four days,” Munnar Divisional Forest Officer, N C Indrachudan said. “The tourists will be able to stay at the Edamalakudy forest camp. There is ample scope for arranging nature camps here. The people here are economically very backward which forced them to take up illegal activities like ganja cultivation and brewing of illicit liquor. They were cheated by the middlemen who buy bamboo products from them for marginal prices and sell them for higher prices. Loans were sanctioned to them but they were unable to repay them. We waived their loans, gave training to hone their skills and made them aware of the market possibilities for their products in cities,” another forest official said.  The Forest Department has taken the initiative to develop Edamalakudy, with a `97-lakh infrastructure development project. The forest road connecting Munnar and Edamalakudy is nearing completion and the Forest Department will purchase two jeeps for conducting the services. Vehicles from outside the tribal area will not be allowed here.