Sensing the emerging tourism potential of the Kadalundi community reserve and its popularity among domestic and international sightseers, more number of local entrepreneurs have come forward to offer low-cost sightseeing packages to tourists to take advantage of the opportunity.
Affordable sightseeing by travelling on country boats covering the two-km stretch of the mangrove forest is among the offers made by new investors.
Interestingly, some local sand mining workers too are part of domestic tourism ventures.
They have secured membership in local country boat operators’ groups to guide tourists and explain to them the features of the rich mangrove forest and the popular bird sanctuary.
“Our eight-member group has two traditional country boats to operate sightseeing trips. It is with financial aid from Kadalundi grama panchayat that we managed to form the group,” said M. Krishnakumar, the team leader.
He added that there were also sand miners who were experts in rowing country boats.
Customised packages
Now, there are eight country boats available for sightseers. Each group offers customised packages to families, students, and corporate groups.
Serving local cuisines too adorns the list of services. For a 10-member group, the two-hour trip without food costs ₹1,500. A.P. Sudheesh, an entrepreneur, said the region was yet to attract the attention of tourists despite innovative initiatives by local investors. “The region has to be promoted for better exposure. Kadalundi is equipped with facilities to host even business meets, family functions, get-togethers, and entertainment parties,” he added.
Meanwhile, members of the Community Reserve Management Committee (CRMC) said as many as five eco development committees were functional in the area under the control of Kadalundi and Vallikkunnu grama panchayats to monitor and promote tourism activities in the area.
The committee also looks into the scope of incorporating local development funds for the conservation and promotion of the area.
“This year, we witnessed a surprising increase in the number of migratory birds visiting the sanctuary. For more than 10 years, the number had been on the decline,” said CRMC secretary M. Sivasankaran.
He also attested that nearly 500 tourists, including domestic and foreign tourists, visited the community reserve in the last one week.
