New tourism schemes and guidelines are on the cards to ensure safety and life protection at the scenic Madatharuvi waterfalls in Ranni, Pathanamthitta district. The move is to model the scenic spot along the lines of Kutralam in Tamil Nadu. Madatharuvi happens to be one of the most beautiful spots the district can boast of.
The waterfalls come cascading down hitting the naturally laid rock shelves, sending beads of water sprays all over, creating a mesmerizing effect on onlookers. The fresh and pure Madatharuvi waters have their run from the streamlet that originates near the Edamuri temple which then flows into the river Pampa. Unfortunately, no authority worth its name, neither the tourism department nor the Thrithala panchayat had come forward so far with plans to tap the tourism potential of Madatharuvi.
Power project
There were plans once upon a time to set up a small scale power plant at the site. The Centre for Energy Management had also conducted studies intending to set up the project. The plan was to set up a power plant with technology borrowed from China where the efficacy of small scale water-cum-electricity projects has been put to maximum use. In fact, a technical team from China had also come to the place to check out its feasibility. However, nothing more came out of it. Later, though development was mooted through the private sector, that plan too fizzled out.
Panchayat initiative
All said and done, it was the initiative taken by the previous governing body of Pazhavangady panchayat that set the ball rolling for Madatharuvi ‘s tourism possibilities. To begin with, there existed no semblance of even a road from Mandamaruthi-Storeroompadi to the base of the falls. People had to walk along a small path that ran through a rubber plantation to reach the Madatharuvi stream. The panchayat succeeded in getting a road sanctioned for people to walk through. Based on this development local MLA Raju Abraham presented a tourism potential proposal to the government which was accepted for further action.
Development proposals
Plans are afoot to purchase an acre of land somewhere close to the falls where small huts can be put up. Parking space will also be provided. Right now, folks move down carefully to the foot of the falls where it’s relatively safe to enjoy a shower. This place is all set to be given a facelift. In view of the recent mishap when two students got swept away in the currents, the local body has decided to fence off all possible danger spots to avoid further tragedies. Another plan is to build a suspension bridge across the stream to connect the banks. Once the project is completed, it is likely to be handed over to Kudambashree for upkeep and maintenance.
