The Thekkady-style of sustainable tourism development
There are a myriad number of organizations operating in tandem with the tourism/hospitality sector. But, very few of them do something meaningful to the tourism sector. Apart from development of tourism, at least some of them are showing profound interest in the sustainable development of the ecosystem. Thekkady Destination Promotion Council (TDPC) is such an organization striving for the development of tourism in the area, while taking considerate measures in conserving environment.
Plastic waste is one of toughest challenges faced by almost all the tourism destinations around the world. Thekkady is not an exception. However, the decision taken by TDPC last year has become crucial in this regard. They have decided to avoid the use of plastic water bottles in all the TDPC member hotels in Thekkady. Water purification plants were erected to provide drinking water to these hotels. By this resourceful decision, Thekkady could get rid of over 26,000 bottles from the premises in a month.
Followed by the decision to stamp out water bottles from Thekkady last year, TDPC has initiated a campaign on the World Environment Day this year to eliminate plastic straws from the area. The response from the public to avoid plastic straws was also very productive.
To make an area free from plastic, support of the local people is very decisive. TDPC achieved this by seeking cooperation of the ‘Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi’ and their response to the request was also very positive.
Aiming at avoiding the use of plastic bags in the area, TDPC has supplied cloth bags to the houses in and around Thekkady. The idea behind this programme was to encourage people to use these cloth bags while going for shopping and thus curtail the use of plastic bags.
The area of operation of TDPC is not limited to eradication of plastic from Thekkady. Two class rooms in Amaravathi Government School at Kumali has made in to smart rooms by TDPC. They also carry out the maintenance of the smart class rooms.
As part of their Pain and Palliative programme, TDPC provides groceries to those who require care under the scheme. On the World Environment Day, TDPC planted around five thousand plants in various hotels and resorts in Thekkady. They also took initiative to remove waste from the Kumali Government Hospital.
When TDPC was formed in 2004 by George Muthoot, Managing Director of Cardamom Country; Scaria Jose, Managing Director of Carmelia Haven; and Jayakrishnan, Managing Director of Rudra Holidays, the prime objective was the development of Thekkady. It aims at transforming Thekkady from a single day dwelling to a place apposite for long stays.
Recently TDPC organized an event named ‘Sahyadri,’ which intended long term stay of tourists in Thekkady. Around 200 tour operators participated in the event. The participants were taken to spectacular sites which have not been in the tourism map yet. The event was a great success in term of participation and follow up actions from the tour operators.
Babu Elias, Jiju James, Dileep Chandran, Prasoon Shanker, Balaji Ravi Varman (From left to right)
The team TDPC is: Babu Elias (Owner, Elephant Tours) as the Chairman; Jiju James (General Manager, Carmelia Havens) as the General Secretary; Dileep Chandran (General Manager, Green Woods) as the Treasurer; Prasoon Shanker (General Manager,Elephant Court ) and Balaji Ravi Varman (General Manager, Hills and Hues) as Secretaries.