The thick vegetation on the shore of the Vembanad Lake has turned a haven for anti-social elements of late, posing a threat to tourists to the sanctuary.Kumarakom: Kerala’s tourism department and the forest department are fighting over an undeclared bird sanctuary at Kumarakom yet the tourist destination is bereft of basic facilities and security arrangements. The thick vegetation on the shore of the Vembanad Lake has turned a haven for anti-social elements of late, posing a threat to tourists to the sanctuary.
Though the 94 acres of land is swarming with rare birds, birdwatchers do not have an easy time inside the sanctuary. The narrow path through the sanctuary has turned an obstacle course at many places. The tourism department views the sanctuary as a cash cow but spares little time or money on the destination.
The Kumarakom sanctuary is one of the top birdwatching destinations in India thanks to the rare birds that populate the area. The sanctuary has more than 80 rare birds, including migratory birds. Endangered species such as spot-billed pelican, painted stork, openbill stork and white ibis nest in the sanctuary.
The wetlands and mangroves surrounding the sanctuary make it an ideal spot for the birds. The sanctuary has three observation towers but only one is open to visitors to watch birds. Even that is rusting away for want of maintenance.
The Kumarakom bird sanctuary is not officially recognized yet. The state government could make the announcement if the local panchayat and the local legislator recommend so. Such a move could ensure central funds of crores of rupees for the sanctuary’s development.
There is one problem though. At least 10 acres of the core sanctuary have to be transferred to the forest department if the area has to be declared a bird sanctuary. The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation does not want to part with the land. The KTDC is rebuilding a resort on a small area in the sanctuary. The proposal to shift the core area to the forest department has been doing the rounds in the secretariat for years.
The tourism department wants five acres from each of the six forest reserves in return of the land Kumarakom – a tradeoff not viewed particularly fair by the forest department.
The KTDC’s hesitation is understandable. The corporation received Rs 34 lakh from visitors to the sanctuary last year. The corporation charges Rs 50 per person for entry into the sanctuary. A foreigner has to pay Rs 150 to enter the sanctuary.
The Kottayam Nature Society, which is associated with the tourism department in the management of the sanctuary, has an alternative proposal. The tourism department could declare the area as sanctuary and keep it.
Yet the KTDC has not bothered to level the path or repair the fences in the sanctuary.
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