The Tourism Department is planning to develop Kakkathuruthu (island of crows), a tiny island in the Vembanad Lake, as an eco-friendly tourist village.
The place, featured on National Geographic must-visit list in 2016, lacks basic infrastructure facilities. “Kakkathuruthu is an ecologically fragile place. We could not carry out big constructions on the island. We plan to develop basic facilities for tourists without impacting the nature. As the initial step, we will conduct a survey and seek opinions of the local residents. A detailed project report will be prepared and submitted to the Tourism Department with an aim to developing it as an environment-friendly destination,” District Tourism Promotion Council secretary M. Malin told The Hindu .
Although tourists flock the island, the place lacks good roads, walkways, facilities for refreshment, among other things. It is surrounded by water, but potable water is a prized item on the island.
Local people complain that their 15-year-old demand for a bridge connecting the island to the mainland is yet to be met. At present, two country boats, one operated by the Ezhupunna grama panchayat and another privately owned, are the only means of connectivity between Kakkathuruthu and the mainland.
The residents say the boat service is available only between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. and they find it difficult to commute, especially during an emergency situation.
Although the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had earmarked ₹20 crore for the construction of a bridge in the last budget, the project has made hardly any progress.
The residents say that some of the families had left the island for lack of basic infrastructure.
Panchayat initiative
Meanwhile, the Ezhupunna panchayat Scheduled Caste Service Cooperative Society recently announced that it would launch its own initiatives to boost tourism on the island. A sum of ₹45 lakh has been earmarked for various tourism-related projects, said cooperative society president Divakaran Kallumkal.
The place, accessed only through traditional boats, is listed in NationalGeographic ’s ‘Around the World in 24 Hours,’ a photographic tour of travel-worthy spots. It is a haven for birdwatchers.
