Friday, January 19, 2007

ECO TOURISM IN KERALA

ECO TOURISM IN KERALA

The lure of emerald green back waters,
swaying palms, uninhabited foliage,
rustic charms, exotic wild life,
ayurveda and
endless stretches of beaches have beckoned throngs of tourists to Kerala.

Yet the state continues to be untouched by the manace of commercialization, with tourism development blending effortlessly with the ecology to create an idyllic locale.

Keralas tourism potential lies in the rich culture,
unparalleled natural bounty.
With the Arabian Sea on the west,
The western ghats on the east and
networked by forty-four rivers,
Kerala has become a world famous spot on global tourism map.

The important of travel and tourism to kerala economy cannot be discounted with distinctive "GOD'S OWN COUNTRY" branding, the state has promoted its tourism product with aggressive marketing and strategic planning, creating a tourism success story. Kerala has emerged as most acclaimed tourist destination in the recent past. Its credentials coming from around world.

The National Geographical Travel has confirmed Kerala's position on global tourism map, Conferring its status one of the must see destination of a life time.

The other acclaims received by Kerala includes
One of the 100 great trips for the 20th century by Travel and Leisure,
one of the ten hot spots for the millennium by Emirates in -Flight magazine, and
One of the six destinations by Khaleej Time,
The Government of India also awarded kerala as the best performing state for three consecutive years for achieving rapid growth, development and advancement in the tourism sector.

WHAT IS ECO TOURISM?

Tourism developed from travel and travel is an ancient phenomenon. From the prehistoric time it self men loved traveling at that time they traveled in search of food and safe accommodation. Later trade and commerce become the motivation for the travel. The objectives expanded gradually to include pilgrimage, explorations and studies on nature and culture. The development of transport by Rail, sea and air accelerated the progress of international tourism.

Leisure travel was the privilege of richer classes. By the middle of last century tourism received acceptance in all classes of society in view of advantage like education, cultural integration and relaxation for mind and body. This type of mass tourism created crowded destinations and also created problems like insufficient accommodation, poor hygiene conditions and degeneration of ecological status etc.

Eco tourism is a new concept in tourism .It is purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the Cultural and natural history of environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while providing economic opportunities that make conservation of natural resources to local people. Eco tourism is "That form of tourism that involves traveling relatively undisturbed areas with the Specific objectives of studying, admiring and enjoying natural and wild plants and animals as well as any existing cultural aspects, past or present found in these areas."

The key elements of ecotourism includes
I. Natural environment as its prime attraction.
2. An optimum number of environment friendly visitors.
3. Positive involvement of local communities.

Eco Tourism gained attraction with issue such as C B D Earth summit, Global warming. Coming up, there is a greater awareness and concern regarding eco system even among common man. There is a grater urge to flee the polluted metropolis of urban life and get back to nature for the answers that they are seeking. In the quest for these answers lies the genesis of ECO TOURISM.
Thus the Eco tourism is ecologically responsible system of natural resources through education. The destinations are centered around sites of natural origin containing some aspects like panoramic view, exhilarating climate, diversity of vegetation, wild life ,social life attached to it and many more.

Monday, January 15, 2007

ARALAM WILD LIFE SANCTUARY

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary was established in the year 1984. The extent is 55 Sq km and lies between 110 540 and 110 590-north latitude and 750 470 and 750 570 East Longitude. This is the northern most protected area of Kerala state situated in the South East part of Kannur district, bordering Karnataka (Bhramaghiri Wildlife Sanctuary) in the north, North Wayanad Division in the East, Kottiyoor Reserve and Kelakam village in the south and Central State Farm Aralam in the West.
Till 30.06.98 the sanctuary was part of Wayanad Wildlife Division. The Aralam Wildlife Division started functioning since 01.07.98. Out of 55 sq. Km of sanctuary area, an area of 32. 64 Sq Km of the sanctuary was vested forest, and balance portion is part of Kottiyoor Reserved Forest.
Nearest town Iritty is 20 Km away and nearest rail heads Kannur and Thalassery 70 Km away.
Climate of this sanctuary is somewhat moderate with temperature ranging from 110 C to 400 C. Hottest months are April and May and December to February is relatively cool.
Mean annual rainfall is 4000 mm, bulk of the showers are from southwest monsoon. The terrain is rugged and undulating altitude ranges from 60 m to 1589 m.
The forest of the sanctuary and the adjacent areas represent the only compact protected patch belonging to the unique vegetation type viz Dipterocarpus – MessuaPalaquim subtype. The forests are also contiguous with the Brahmagiri Sanctuary and forest of Koorg. Cheenkannipuzha, the major tributary of Valapattanam River originates from the forest of the sanctuary. This river is very crucial in controlling the Agro-economy and Fishery-economy of Kannur district and is the main source of drinking water to Kannur town.





Vegetation

Due to climatic altitudinal and edaphic factors the vegetation of the sanctuary is unique. The major vegetation types met with are: -

1. West coast tropical evergreen forest
2. West coast tropical semi-evergreen forest
3. South Indian moist deciduous forests, and
4. Southern Hilltop evergreen forests

Animals

Fauna is also very characteristic and is represented by both vertebrates and non-vertebrates.

Vertebrates

(i) Mammals: - 46 species of mammals recorded which include elephant, Sambar, Barking deer and Mouse deer, Wild boar and Gaur. Tiger and Leopard are the predators. All the 5 primates and other arboreal animals such as Malabar Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica) and Flying Squirrel (Petaurista petaurista) are present.

(ii) Amphibians: - 23 species are identified out of which 4 are endemic to Western Ghats

(iii) Reptiles: - Out of the 51 species of 12 families recorded, 11 are endemic to Western Ghats and 9 species are snakes. King Cobra is also found in the area.

(iv) Ave: - 207 species of birds are recorded out of which 14 species are endemic to Western Ghats and 21 are included in Sch I of WL (P) Act and 8 species are globally threatened.

(v) Fishes: - 39 species are recorded of which 2 species are new records to rivers of Kerala.

Invertebrates

Out of the 172 species of Butterflies 12 are endemic to Western Ghats