The ticket counter recently opened by the Forest department at Kakkayam in Koorachundu panchayat to regulate the entry of visitors to the nearby eco-tourism centre is likely to be relocated following public protests. Panchayat authorities claim that they have got an assurance in this regard from the Divisional Forest Office.
Since the opening of the counter at the Kakkayam Tourism Information Centre, the residents have been up in arms against the facility alleging that it restricted their movement.
Panchayat president Vincy Thomas said the panchayat would move a resolution on Tuesday seeking the immediate relocation of the counter. “We won’t support a strange system where people who visit the houses of their relatives in the tourism area are charged with an entry fee,” she said.
Meanwhile, Forest department sources said the ticket counter was set up at the current location taking into account of the safety of eight women staff at the office. There was no move to collect ticket charge from visitors to the houses of local residents, they said.
