Pathanamthitta district is blessed with numerous attractions which could make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kerala. However, people outside the district lack awareness about these spots, most of which are also devoid of basic infrastructural facilities.
The major attractions in the district are the Konni elephant training centre, the Coracle safari at Adavi and Gavi. Of these, only Konni and Adavi are easily accessible. A tourist can spend about an hour at Konni ecotourism centre and reach Adavi within half-an-hour. The coracle ride would take one hour. In short, those planning a one-day trip would have nothing else to do and many tourists avoid a trip to Pathanamthitta for this reason.
This situation is in stark contrast to the neighbouring Kollam. At Thenmala ecotourism centre, there are numerous attractions which can keep visitors busy for an entire day. On the way to Thenmala is the Ottakkal lookout, and then comes the Palaruvi waterfalls. Tourists can next head to the deer park and to the leisure point at the ecotourism centre. It will be evening by the time the dam and aquarium are covered. The trip can be wound up by enjoying the musical fountain.
In Pathanamthitta, the authorities can set up new tourist spots at places like Kattathippara, where trekking can be arranged. This facility will not harm the environment also. Cottages or other accommodation can be set up near Thannithode, where tourists can enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest at close quarters.
However, the authorities have implemented no fresh tourism projects in the district even though several plans were made.
DTPC ecotourism
A tour which took visitors in a vehicle from Konni to Twin Kallar through forest paths had been launched some time ago. It offered tourists amazing sights such as ruins of ancient temples. However, this tour was discontinued for reasons best known to the authorities.
Another tour package conducted under the ecotourism project which starts from Konni and touching Adavi, Gavi and Vandiperiyar is still available. Two vehicles and staff take tourists along this picturesque route. But, strangely, the tour takes place barely on three or four days a month. As a result, the staff earns hardly anything.
Tourists will be transported to an entirely different world when they reach Gavi after visiting Konni, Adavi and Aangamoozhi, with its coracle ride. Often, Gavi witnesses a huge rush. Only 30 vehicles are allowed to enter a day, but more people arrive on private vehicles, often leading to arguments. Even then, very few tourists are aware of the official tour package to the spot which has the advantage of offering safety as well as the services of an expert driver and a knowledgeable guide.
If the DTPC and Forest Department initiate steps to conduct this official tour efficiently with more vehicles and giving it wide publicity, the problem of crowding by private vehicles at Gavi can be avoided. Moreover, it could prevent trespassing into forest as well as dumping of plastic and other waste materials in the area.
Projects on paper
The authorities have prepared several tourism projects, but all of them are still on paper. The projects include Aranmula, Perunthenaruvi, Adoor, Pannivelichira, Ulanadu Polachira, Kuriyannoor–Aruvikkuzhi and several others. But even residents of the district have no idea about the route to places like Perunthenaruvi. If a tourist finally finds his or her way to the spot, there will be no facilities to make the trip worthwhile.
Some attractions like Aruvikkuzhi waterfall come alive only during a certain period every year. Efforts are being taken to rejuvenate such waterfalls by building check dams to attract tourists. Another project that has been stuck for long is related to the Panangudantha waterfalls.
No follow-up actions
The travel through the forest area and the coracle ride at Adavi were introduced while S Harikishore was the District Collector. A publicity film highlighting the tourist attractions of the district was also prepared. Though the film became viral on social media, no follow-up action took place on the ground.
Information gap
Adavi and Konni ecotourism centres offer tremendous opportunities to boost tourism in Pathanamthitta district. A treetop hut made of bamboo close to the forest at Adavi can be used by tourists. New accommodation is being set up near the coracle ride. Facilities to provide information regarding such options to people outside the district should be arranged. Unfortunately, no contact number which can offer guidance to tourists is functional in Pathanamthitta.
Bright prospects
Among the prospective tourism packages is one in which visitors can enjoy the elephant settlement, elephant ride, coracle trip and spend the night in the bamboo hut. The next day, they can make the trip to Twin Kallar. This package will also help reduce the rush to Gavi. Tourists wishing to visit Gavi along with this package can do so.
Another feasible plan is to connect all historically important places in the district. Under this tour, a visitor can reach the cave temples, unique religious sites like the Chilanthiyambalam (Spider Temple), Kadammanitta Padayani Village, Niranam, Paliyekkara, Manjanikkara, Parumala Church, Aranmula Mirror manufacturing units, Kaviyoor cave temple and the Veluthambi Dalava Memorial at Mannadi.
Attractions similar to the Rock Garden in Chandigarh can also be set up. Pathanamthitta has several villages which witness very heavy rainfall. Monsoon tourism potential of these places can be tapped - a monsoon walk was organised at Laha some time ago.
Plantation tourism
Kodumon Plantation holds good promise for plantation tourism similar to the one at Mullott Dam. There was a plan to set up a cable-car facility connecting Chuttippara in Pathanamthitta town. However, nothing is heard about it now. Even Chuttippara can be turned into a tourist attraction if the authorities take suitable steps.
Several hilly tracks like Charalkunnu camp centre and Karuvallikkadu can attract nature lovers and students planning a one-day educational trip if sufficient facilities are arranged.
Pulikkeezhu and other spots are ideal for cruise trips on the Pamba. There are several places on the banks of the river beyond Maniyar police camp where visitors from outside the district are seen enjoying an outing. But, again, these spots lack infrastructure. Family groups planning a one-day picnic can been attracted to the riverside if they have an option for having food brought from home or cooking it on the spot.
In a nutshell, Pathanamthitta’s huge tourism potential can be tapped immediately by arranging an efficient system to provide information to visitors; and secondly implementing several low-cost projects while planning for the big ones.
