Looking at Wagamon Hills, a place on Eastern High Resorts at the Kottayam-Idekki boundary, which was designed as part of the perimeter of green tourism. | PHOTO CREDIT: VISHNU PRATHAP
More than ten years after receiving the administrative sanction, the Green Tourism Circuit project in Pala Nestartor remains due to the lack of interest that the authorities concerned have shown.
When working for more than three years, speculation is now growing that the government can stop the project. “The project office in Pala was closed three years ago and employees were transferred. Now we hear that the GOD (GO) related to the project is likely to be withdrawn,” the official source said.
Pala, gateway
The project started in 2013 during the previous democratic government with KM Mani as Minister of Finance, aimed at strengthening domestic tourism and pilgrimage in the eastern high range of Kottayam district. It was assumed as a district connecting religious and tourist goals, such as Illikkal Kallla, Ilavezhapoonchira, Marmal Aruvi, Ayyampar, Wagamon and the temples. Pala was assumed as a gateway, with a supportive infrastructure such as basic equipment. The income in Marmala, Ilaveezhapoonchira and Illikkal Kalls were also earmarked for the establishment of visitors’ facilities.
For the implementation of the 145 GBP-CRORE project, the Green Society for Tourism was established, which was later restructured in 2017 under the Presidency of the Minister of Tourism.
The main milestone came in October 2020, when the Chief Minister of Pinaraya Vijayan launched the Green Tourism complex in Pala, considered the flagship of the perimeter. From there, however, no progress was made.
Previously, work was launched to improve devices in pilgrimage centers such as Ramapuram Naambballam, Bharananganam temple Sree Kršnaswamy, Edapadi Church Ananda Shanmuga Swamy Swamy and Ezhacheri Umamaleswara. Steps were also taken to offer transport services from paly to different centers.
Published – June 19, 2025 20:10
