Minister Directs Start of Work on Kollam Biodiversity Hub, Sargaalaya Gateway

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas today directed officials of his department to start preliminary work on two major tourism projects approved by the Centre in response to proposals by the state government.

The move marks the initiation of efforts to realise a Biodiversity and Eco-Recreational Hub in Kollam district and the Sargaalaya: Global Gateway to Malabar Cultural Crucible projects. The officials will chart out a schedule for the timely completion of the two initiatives totalling Rs 155.05 crore.

While the Kollam initiative with its three clusters won Kerala Rs 59.71crore from the Union Tourism Ministry, the grant for Sargaalaya Gateway is Rs 95.34 crore. Together, they come under a project called Development of Iconic Tourist Centers to Global Scale.

The Kollam project is a result of the state Tourism Department’s biodiversity circuit focusing on the travel destinations of that southern district. The Biodiversity and Recreational Hub envisages its expansion.

The Sargaalaya: Global Gateway to Malabar Cultural Crucible is a tourism chain extending from the Sargaalaya Kerala Arts and Crafts Village near Vadakara in Kozhikode district to seaside Beypore, 51 km southward. The project also envisages the expansion of the 2011-founded Sargaalaya Kerala Arts and Crafts Village at Iringal.

The grants, totalling Rs 155.05 crore, came in after officials of the state department, upon instructions from Shri Riyas, presented a detailed outline of the two projects before the Union Ministry of Tourism in Delhi earlier this year.

“The realisation of the two projects will mark a leap in the development of the state’s tourism,” the Minister said. “We had submitted the proposals with a view to developing more destinations in Kerala.”

The initiatives will boost the government’s efforts towards making entire Kerala a tourism hub. The Tourism Department will take steps to complete the projects in time, he added.

The Kollam project, spread across the seashore of the district to Kottarakara and mountainous Thenmala eastward, is a remarkable next step in Kerala Tourism’s promotion of the district as a globally-renowned tourist destination. The project combines the protection of Kollam’s priceless biodiversity, introduction and protection of its cultural heritage while ensuring modern entertainment facilities.

The project, which was originally announced in the 2021-22 Budget, is in line with the state’s broader objective of sustainable tourism development, providing visitors an unforgettable experience while guaranteeing financial benefits to the local population amid raising an eco-friendly and state-of-the-art infrastructure. They will include Kollam Marina, Ashtamudi Lake Interpretation Centre, a floating restaurant, biodiversity trail, adventure park, children’s park and lake walkway.

Kerala Tourism Secretary K Biju said the Kollam Biodiversity and Sargaalaya projects will catalyse Kerala’s efforts for world-class tourist destinations. “We will complete them in time,” he added.

Tourism Director Sikha Surendran said the two projects will help Kerala boost its tourism in the south as well as in the north of the state.