Lack of life-saving facilities and guards is putting at risk lives of thousands of tourists who visit prominent ecotourism destinations in the district.
Despite the continuing incidents of deaths due to drowning, cautionary boards to prevent entry of tourists to dangerous locations are yet to be put in place.
Seven persons, mostly youngsters, have lost their lives after falling into trenches in trekking areas close to Kakkayam and Peruvannamoozhi dam site in a short span of time. Even people who knew swimming could not save themselves after they fall into water-logged trenches. “Most of the dangerous passages are ignored by tourists who are new to the location and do not have any access to information on the dangerous topography,” says V. George, a resident of Koorachundu.
Beautiful but be warned
Kariyathumpara, one of the prominent ecotourism centres in the region known for its scenic beauty, witnessed the death of youth due to drowning on Friday.
Though some fencing works were done in the area to discourage tourists’ entry to unsafe locations, a guard to desist tourists from entering the dangerous sites was needed, people in the area said.
There is also the lack of facilities to provide basic life support in emergency situations. Tourists who are rescued have to depend on local taxi services from distant locations to take them to hospital. Panchayat authorities say an emergency service vehicle posted in the area could save a number of lives.
