The land of rolling hills, forests, lakes, rivers and folklore is made for tourism. Quaint Wayanad is determined to tap this immense potential, to find a place in premium itineraries.
The Tourism Department is preparing an array of projects, estimated at Rs.17 crore, to cement the district’s place on the tourism map.
Among the works for the current financial year are the first phase of the Karapuzha tourism project; the “En Ooru” (My hamlet) project at Lakkidi; construction of the Mananthavady town square and the second phase of the Sulthan Bathery town square; development of the Karalad Lake as an adventure tourism spot; renovation of the Pookode Lake; the Kabani Theeram project and the Manichira and the Kambamala projects; and renovation of the Edakkal caves.
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The first phase of the Karapuzha project was launched under the supervision of the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) at a cost of Rs.4.92 crore recently. The project is expected to be commissioned by March-end, Tourism Deputy Director N. Anithakumari says. The project envisages setting up a garden similar to the Brindavan Gardens in Mysore on four hectares of land, a tourism facilitation centre, a walkway, a parking area, and a souvenir and spices stall, apart from landscaping and electrification of the banks of the Karapuzha reservoir, P. Anilkumar, Managing Director, KIIDC, says. A master plan of Rs.150 crore has been submitted to the Union government, Tourism Department sources said.