The Eco huts constructed by the forest department at Muthanga in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary are getting ready to tap the tourism potential of the district.
As many as six eco cottages have been built by the forest department, to woo the nature enthusiasts, at a cost of Rs.14 lakh under the Muthanga Eco- Tourism project. As part of the project, the old forest Inspection Bungalow (Serambi) and elephant feeding centre have been renovated.
The inspection Bungalow with two double rooms has been opened for the tourists a few months back at a tariff rate of Rs. 400 per day for a room. Nearly Rs.1. 75 lakh have been spent for the construction of each hut. Bamboo is the main raw material used in the construction and the aluminum roof of the huts have been covered with wild hay, V.K. Sreevalsan, Wild Life Warden, Wayanad Wild Life Sanctuary said. The huts have been built in a traditional tribal style prevalent in the district. Each hut has a bed room, a verandah and a bathroom, he added.
Trenches have also been dug around the cottages to ensure the security of tourists. Though thousands of tourists, including foreigners, reach here every year for the wild life safari, the lodging facility was a major concern for them. After the inauguration of the cottages, the lodging issues of the tourists will be solved up to a certain extent, he added. More over, the plan is to utilise the dormitory facility of the sanctuary, which can accommodate nearly forty persons.
The eco huts will be inaugurated within a month, he added.
