: The 150-km-long Gavi-Wagamon Mega Tourism Circuit, sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan scheme of the Union Tourism Ministry, will give a fillip to ecotourism activities in the State and create world class infrastructure in the Pathanamthitta-Gavi-Wagamon-Thekkady region.
Based on theme of ecotourism, the Rs.95-crore circuit will be one of the first mega tourism circuits to be developed in the country under the newly launched scheme of the Ministry. Other projects under the scheme include the Buddhist and Himalayan circuits.
The Rs.95-crore project has come as a big relief to Kerala Tourism, which has been denied Central assistance for projects submitted by it in consecutive years.
As many as 10 tourism projects submitted by the State are pending approval with the Ministry.
G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Secretary, Tourism, says the State had not received such a huge chunk of financial assistance from the Centre for a tourism project in recent times. “We are hopeful of getting clearance for another project soon,” he added.
A model
The 150-km circuit extending from Angamoozhy in Pathanamthitta district to Wagamon will have a host of new facilities such as trekking, archery and rock-climbing. Minister for Tourism A.P. Anil Kumar says, “We are confident that the mega tourism circuit will become a model for eco-friendly tourism in the world.”
Under the sanctioned project to be funded by the Ministry, Rs.30 crore will be spent for Pathanamthitta and Gavi and Rs.65 crore for Wagamon and Thekkady. The components include destination development, tourist facilities and security. Destination development would be undertaken at Angamoozhy, Moozhiyar, Kochupampa, Kaki, and Gavi in Pathanamthitta-Gavi area, including tourist facility centres such as cafeteria, and rest and activity areas. Facilities for trekking at view points, boating, surveillance camera, security arrangements, eco-friendly accommodation, and adventure sports activities will also be developed in the area.
In the Wagamon-Thekkady area, facilities will be created for adventure tourism activities such as buggy walks, shooting arena, archery arena, pain ball arena, Burma bridge, trampoline walk, rock-climbing, multiline walk, and earthquake walk. Cycle tracks and amphitheatre will also be developed. Drinking water and lighting arrangements will be built along with curio shops.
