A theme-based ‘Malanadu Cruise’ linking eight rivers and backwaters of Kannur and Kasargod districts that will offer holidayers a chance to explore North Malabar’s traditional arts, culture, heritage, cuisine, martial art forms, rustic life and scenic beauty is on the anvil.
Modelled on the lines of the river cruise in other parts of the world and the highly successful backwater cruise here, the Malanadu cruise is aimed at showcasing the untapped tourism potential from the upcoming Kannur international airport to Bekal. Besides attracting holidayers to the northern districts of the State, the ₹400-crore project is part of the strategy to develop a new niche tourism product for Kerala Tourism. Destination development along the 270-km cruise route, generating employment to the local people and promoting handicrafts and handloom are the other aims.
Theme based
The 11 theme-based cruise has been chalked out based on the Chandragiri, Tejaswani, Perumba, Kuppam, Valapattnam, Anjarakkandy, and Mahe rivers and the backwaters of Valiyaparamabu and Kavvayi. The cruises — Yakshagana, River bathing and Water sports, Coastal Village, Handicraft, Mangrove, Theyyam, Malabari (Muthappan), Birds and Agri Cruise, Pazhassi Raja and Martial Arts — have been aptly named based on the unique features, art forms, culture, heritage and cuisine around these rivers and waterbodies.
Yakshagana and Theyyam performance and visit to Muderikadavu bird sanctuary, Ayirampara Pokkali fields, mangroves figure among the itinerary worked out for cruise rides. Specially designed vessels with the latest safety features have also been proposed for rides.
The longest cruise route of 37 km is from Munambukadavu to Valapattanam (Malabari cuisine cruise) and the Birds and agri cruise from Munderikadavu to Valapattanam, both along the Valapattanam river.
The shortest 15-km cruise is from the Thekkil bridge to Thalangara along the Chandragiri tiver (Yakshagana cruise) and Martial arts cruise from Peringathur to Mahe along the Mahe river.
The attempt is to take back the holidayers to the rich tradition and culture and showcase them through the novel Malanadu cruise, says architect Madhukumar who has worked out the concept.
The project will be a big impetus to the tourism and infrastructure development of North Malabar and for generating employment, says Minister for Tourism Kadakampally Surendran.
The preliminary works have commenced and Kottapuram is to be the hub of operations. Tourism planners are trying to rope in local bodies, involve peoples’ representatives and get the financial assistance from the Swadesh Darshan scheme of the Union Ministry of Tourism.
