Kozhikode: Three-and-a-half months after it was shut down due to wild animal attacks in the area, the Kakkayam Ecotourism Center reopened on Saturday. According to officials, nearly 200 people visited the facility on the first day despite the high temperatures and concerns about animal attacks. Kakkayam Forest and Urakji Waterfall are part of Kakkayam Eco-Hi Tourism Center located within the Kakkayam Dam premises of Kula Chuntu Panchayat. For tourists who enjoy the beauty of nature, running on forest roads is one of the great attractions.
The eco center and Hydel Tourism Center were closed on January 20 after wild gaurs attacked tourists. Boating at Hydel Center resumed by March 1, but another gaur attack in which a local farmer was killed forced authorities to postpone reopening. On March 5, farmer Parattiyil Abraham was attacked and killed by a gaur. This scared even local tourists away. Apart from agriculture, tourism is the main source of income for villagers. The prolonged closure has had a negative impact on business, with 19 tourist guides losing their jobs. Considering the situation of people dependent on the tourist centre, Barushi MLA Sachin Dev held a meeting with the forest department and it was decided to open the tourist center to tourists.
weekend outing
A perfect weekend getaway, Kakkayam used to be filled with tourists on short stays. Tourist operators, hotels, jeeps and autorickshaw services in Kakkayam town depended on the influx of tourists. “The reopening of the tourist center gives us new hope. Previously, on weekends, we had around 1,000 visitors a day. On holiday weekends, the footfall could be up to 2,000. We had to close the ticket counter early,” said tourist guide Salomi Thomas. “The shutdown has affected our lives because many of us are solely dependent on work.”
After reopening, ticket prices have increased. Tickets cost 50 rupees for adults and 30 rupees for children from 6 years to 12 years. Tourists can buy tickets from Kakkayam Valley where beautiful waterfalls are formed during the rainy season. A 7 km drive through the forest from the ticket office brings tourists closer to nature. Although private cars are allowed, tourists can also book a 7-seater jeep for 250 rupees each. You can also go to the dam site, but you need a ticket of 30 rupees to see the reservoir.
Other tourist attractions
Apart from the ecotourism centre, other tourist attractions in Kourachundu Panchayat include Kariyathumpala, Panchavadi Palam and Bamboo Forest, all within a radius of a few kilometers. The panchayat is 50 km from Kozhikode via Barseli.
