Adventure tourism to be promoted at Wagamon

The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) intends to develop Wagamon as an adventure zone by promoting 20 sporting events identified as suitable for the area.

The DTPC had 45 hectares of land at Wagamon. The detailed project would be submitted to the government in a month, Tourism Department Deputy Director Joykutty George told The Hindu here.

Wagamon had grown as the third major tourism destination in the State after Munnar and Thekkady. Its grasslands were ideal for paragliding events. The DTPC would put in place the required infrastructure without affecting the environment, he said.

Lesser-know spots near Wagamon would also be developed. But unbridled tourism would not be allowed as it may harm the rich bio-diversity of the region, Mr. George said.

The DTPC's one-day tour of Wagamon had received good response. A one-day sight seeing programme, combining Munnar and Painavu, would start next month.

There are two sight-seeing tours which start from Munnar now. One takes the visitors to Devikulam, Gap Road, Rajakkad and Kallimaly; and another takes tourists to Eravikulam and Marayur. Sight-seeing programmes were being operated only to certain destinations. Poor road condition and lack of basic facilities had been hampering tour operations, sources said.