Kumarakom needs collective effort to become global destination: Alphons

Kumarakom, chosen as one of the iconic destinations in India, needs collective effort to make it a world-class destination, opined Union Minister of State for Tourism KJ Alphons. He also pointed out that it can only be attained through the development of all panchayats in and around the Vembanad Lake. The minister was addressing a two-day stakeholder consultation programme held to discuss various issues related to the comprehensive tourism development programmes in Kumarakom.

The minister urged the authorities to take immediate actions to stop encroachments on the lake, which was once spread over 38,000 ha and had shrunk to just 12,000 ha now. “The primary issues that has to be considered are connectivity and accommodation. At the same time, we also have to look into other aspects like proper waste management and night-life activities,” he added.

A Central delegation led by K J Alphons, comprising Rashmi Verma, Union Tourism Secretary; Suman Billa, Tourism Joint Secretary; Sanjay Shreevats, Regional Director (South); Bharti Sharma, Asst. Director General; Senthur Kumaran, Manager, India Tourism, Kochi; Drashana Mali and Niraj Bhan, PMC; held discussions with the tourism stakeholders in Kumarakom as part of the programme. Suggestions and opinions were sought from the stakeholders and necessary action would be taken considering the suggestions came up during the sessions, said Alphons.

He also stressed the need to maintain cleanliness in the locality. “Cleanliness is something for which the basic responsibility has to be taken up by the individual,” he said.

“Constructive suggestions that came up during the two-day braining storming sessions would be put into practice in transforming Kumarakom into a global tourism destination,” said Rani George, Secretary, Tourism.