Nestled in the Ambanad Hills of Kollam district, the Kudamutti waterfalls could well be described as one of the most beautiful falls of the State. But it remains hidden in the tourism map of Kerala.
When it flows during the monsoon it’s a tempting yet safe natural beauty from the tourism angle. It is also the time when a dispute crops up over the ownership of the falls. This dispute comes as a hurdle to tourists who have heard a lot about the falls and desire to visit the place.
To reach Kudamutti falls, one has to enter and pass through a large private plantation. The plantation authorities claim that the falls is in their property and they promote it as estate tourism project of theirs.
But the Forest Department insists that the falls come under the jurisdiction of the Achenkovil Range forests.
Flex boards
The estate authorities levy a fee of Rs. 100 per person for their estate tourism project and that covers the waterfalls too. Flexboards of the falls are also prominently displayed all over the plantation.
But the Forest authorities have warned the plantation employees that if tourists are found at the site of the falls, cases will be registered against the employees and the tourists.
Following this dispute, the waterfall in spite of its overwhelming beauty during this part of the year wears a deserted look.
When contacted the plantation authorities said that there is no dispute at all since the waterfall falls well within land owned by the company. When forest authorities at Achenkovil were contacted they said that while it is a fact that water reaching the waterfall flows through the plantation, the location of the falls is forest area and they have GPS proof of that.
The forest authorities also said that they have fenced off the area.
Former district panchayat president S. Jayamohan who had given much thrust too tourism while in office said that tourists should be allowed to enjoy such a natural beauty and if there is a dispute it should be amicably settled.
The waterfall can be a big revenue earner for the State during the season, he added.
