Wayanad: The escalation in the human-animal conflict in the district has had a direct impact on the hospitality sector. Sudden and extended closure of tourist destinations and tourist cancellations have put severe stress on the sector. The majority of wildlife tourism destinations have been closed due to excessive wild animal raids causing a scare wave across tourism circles, sources said.
Not just the wildlife tourism zones, trekking trails and waterfalls across the district under the control of the Forest Department have been closed to visitors. The wildlife safaris at Muthanga near Sulthan Bathery and Tholppetti near Mananthavadi, the Vellarimala trekking trails of Banasura Hills near the Banasura Sagar Dam, Soochippara Waterfalls and Kuruva Islands stand closed for tourists.
According to Wayanad Wildlife Warden Dinesh Kumar, the destinations were closed due to the rise in the number of human-animal conflict cases. "We are forced to close down the wildlife tourism centres temporarily as the majority of field staff were diverted to activities mitigating human-animal conflict," he said. The trekking trails to Chembra Peak, the most endearing trekking route in the district, have also been closed.
However, the industry players lament that the increasing number of wildlife attacks and human deaths have brought irreparable damage to Wayanad's reputation. In one month, three people, including an employee of the Kuruva Tourism Project under the forest department, were killed in wildlife attacks in the district. Moreover, rising mercury has dried up ponds and streams in the jungle.
However, places like En Uru, Pookot Lake, Regional Agricultural Research Station and private adventure parks are operating now. According to Sailesh C P, the president of Wayanad Tourism Organisation, all the tourism properties have incurred huge losses due to tourist cancellations. "Visitors are even afraid to travel after nightfall to the district from places like Kozhikode and Mysore", he said. "All destinations under the tourism department are open now", said Ajesh K G, member secretary of the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC). Industry sources noted major resorts have a normal flow of tourists while cancellations were higher in second-line or third-line resorts situated near the animal raid-prone area risky zones.
