TravTalk India Online Magazine
Nestled in the dense woods of Kollam district in Kerala, Thenmala, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers plenty of tourism opportunities. The destination, with its winding roads dotted with rubber and tea plantations, is a haven for nature lovers and an ideal spot for tourism stakeholders to attract travellers from diverse backgrounds.
Surbhi Sharma
Thenmala, being the first planned ecotourism spot in India, has been selected by the World Tourism Organisation as one of the best eco-friendly projects in the world. EM Najeeb, Chairman, ATE Group of Companies, gives credits to KG Mohanlal, Ecotourism Director, Kerala, for the popularity of Thenmala. “Mohanlal was the man behind the development of Thenmala ecotourism and the conceptualisation of responsible tourism classification in Kerala with other industry visionaries,” says Najeeb.
Expressing his views on the India’s first planned ecotourism spot, Sejoe Jose, Managing Director, Marvel Tours, says, “The project represents a remarkable endeavour to harmonise tourism development with environmental preservation and community welfare. Thenmala provides visitors with unique opportunities to gain insights into environmental conservation and sustainable living practices. By advocating for responsible tourism, we contribute to safeguarding the region’s biodiversity for the benefit of future generations.”
Echoeing similar sentiments, PV Valsaraj, Managing Director, Alhind Group of Companies, says, “It is one of the pioneer planned ecotourism projects and has attracted a lot of domestic and international tourists. It still has a lot of potential to attract more tourists.”
Sustainability attracting visitors
Stressing on the need to promote Thenmala, Valsaraj says, “In today’s scenario, we would like to promote such destinations for ecotourism. As of today, thenmala is popular among local tourists as a picnic spot but lost its importance among domestic and international tourists. The lack of infrastructure facilities could be the reason.” Jose says, “One of the key advantages of Thenmala is its proximity to other popular tourist spots, such as Ashtamudi Lake and Kovalam Beach, making it an ideal stop for seasonal travellers.”
Need to introduce more ecotourism spots in India
Citing that there is a need to encourage other states to follow the Thenmala model in the country, Valsaraj says, “We should ensure that the concept of ecotourism should be implemented in such a way so that it impresses both local and international tourists.”
Najeeb says, “In my view, Kerala’s responsible tourism model should serve as a blueprint for India, fostering economic, cultural, and environmental sustainability. Sustainable tourism anchored in responsible practices remains the linchpin for achieving long-term goals in any destination.”
