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| Social responsibility at Kumarakom |
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Social responsibility programmes at Kumarakom under the Responsible Tourism started on September, 2008. Moving more close with the society results in the development in the fields and to know the fine chances in the destination.
a. Suvarna cultural group
The involvement of house wives in the area lead to the formation of a cultural group- Suvarna cultural group which performs the traditional art forms (Thiruvathira, Kolkali, Vattakali) for tourists. Another benefit of Responsible Tourism is the formation of professional Shinkari Melam group by children. The group includes boys and girls within the age group of 8 to 14, which is the first chidren's Shinkari melam team in Kerala. Now many small groups of women and children participates this cultural feast in Kumarakom.
Handicraft and painting units working in the destination is making profits and also development of souvenir and its marketing is done.
b. Exploring the life
To feel the unexplored village life at Kumarakom two packages are introduced. 'Village life experience in Kumarakom' and 'A day with farmers' attracts the tourists. The revenue generated from the programme is divided among the families that involved in it. Two more such packages are also started primary functioning.
c. Community-based tourism
As a part of community oriented tourism many new concepts are evolved. Festival calendar is one such product which gives full ideas about the festivals and their history. The destination profile, destination directory and resource mapping gives good picture about the place and the wide opportunity of tourism.
With the co operation of Hotel and Resort groups, an amount of twelve and half lakhs is invested to solve the drinking water problem in the area As a part of the social responsibility aspect of Responsible Tourism, destination labour directory, study on social problems evolved in village tourism and its solution, infrastructure gap assessment, security issues in the areas and its solution were functioned. Core destination survey in 463 houses and social survey in 283 houses get much response.
d. Environmental responsibility
Overview:
STREET LIGHT SURVEY COMPLETED
INDUSTRY SURVEY ONGOING
PLASTIC FREE ZONE DECLARATION
ALTERNATIVE ECO FRIENDLY PRODUCES
MANGROOVE PROTECTION PROGRAMME IN PRACTICE
ORGANIC FARMING STARTED
GREEN PRACTICES STARTED IN HOTELS AND RESORTS
ZERO WASTE KUMARAKOM –PROJECT PREPARATION COMPLETED
RESOURCE MAPPING COMPLETED |
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Positive outcomes |
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Responsible tourism paved the way for the overall environmental developments in the native areas of Kumarakom. Road survey and street light survey were done and by the sudden action by the Government helps to solve the problems.
Another revolutionary change happened as a part of RT programme is the controlling and clearing of plastic wastes. Strict rules are implemented to clear out plastic bags in these areas. Using of paper and cloth bags is promoted with the help of Samrudhi activity group. Zero waste Kumarakom, a program implemented to make Kumarakom waste free is on its primary process. |
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Encouraging trends |
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a. Positive approach on Waste lands
The main highlight of the Responsible tourism is the conversion of useless lands in agriculture paradise. 56 acres of waste land is developed into vegetable and medicinal plant cultivating areas. This successful revenue making programme is continuing and spreading to other areas of Kumarakom.
b. Caring of Kandal kadu
Special attention is given to the nature product, mangrove (kandal kadu) in Kumarakom. To care the mangrove 'Kandalammachi', a native of the area is used and by her initiative kandal seeds were supplied to every houses.
c. Fish farming
A survey was conducted on the waste ponds in the area. Based on the study and research fish farming and lotus cultivation were done in these waste ponds. Fish are used as food and lotus is given to welcome tourists to the destination in a formal style. Now it becomes a great assest for the villagers and they used to spread it to many areas.
d. Bicycle tourism
Cycling is introduced in the tour packages. The thrilling experience of cycling in the packages attracts tourist and the demand increases. Hotel and resort groups are providing cycles for rent and it also become a smooth going business.
e. Importance of bird sanctuary
Knowing the wide opportunities of tourism in connection with bird sanctuary effective measures are taken as a part of Responsible Tourism. A study on the bird life, survey on the bird count, additional information on the birds, visitor management and other arrangements for bird watching were effectively manipulated. |
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Team effort and a successful venture |
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In the meantime the energy management of the hotels and resorts, waste management in the area were cleared out by time making the area more nature friendly.
A fully involved work from the tourism industry partners (hoteliers, restaurant operators, tour operators, travel agents, home-stay operators, souvenir shop owners, various agencies offering tourism products etc), representatives from local self governments, people’s representatives, NGOs / CSOs, government officials, academicians, media etc. gained the success within two years.
Kumarakom was the first tourist centre in the State that realized the Responsible Tourism concept and now by telling the success story to the world, the place becomes an icon in the tourism sector. |
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