Greener pastures for tourists

March 12, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:42 am IST - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:

pristine:A view of the Ponmudi hill station in Thiruvananthapuram.

pristine:A view of the Ponmudi hill station in Thiruvananthapuram.

The scenic and ecologically fragile grasslands of Ponmudi, and the adjoining eco-tourism destinations of Kallar and Mankayam, which are currently threatened to be turned into plastic wastelands, could have some succour in sight. That is, if the plans of the Forest Department materialise.

A number of proposals, ranging from the declaration of the hill station as a plastic-free zone along with restrictions on consumption of liquor on the hills, to installation of various tourist-friendly facilities have been drawn out by the department, with some of the works already on.

Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Forest Officer T. Uma said that efforts to make the hills a plastic-free zone were already on, with Vana Samrakshana Samithi volunteers carrying out regular cleaning campaigns and trying to convince visitors not to litter the place.

While fines on those who violated the rules were being thought about, signboards were being put up at several points.

Two plastic treatment plants had already started functioning, she said. Efforts to prevent drunk revellers from littering the place too were on.

As for facilities and more tourist attractions, plans were afoot to have tree houses and Ayurveda rejuvenation centres to be run by local people. A watchtower and viewpoint were nearing completion at Ponmudi.

Renovation of the amenity centre, an interpretation centre, and construction of three tourist huts were on at Ponmudi.

“We have supplied the guides with uniforms, installed surveillance cameras at some spots and are getting fine arts students to make paintings and awareness pictures at several points at all the three eco-tourism destinations. New trekking paths too have been introduced,” Ms. Uma told The Hindu .

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