Abstract
Kadamakkudy is a set of islands in Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is surrounded by the Veeranpuzha backwaters on three sides and the Kollam-Kottappuram National Waterways to its west. This region is primarily an agrarian area with the Pokkali wetlands as its major geographical feature (1). The ‘Pokkali farming’ practiced here is a traditional form of organic cultivation where Pokkali rice is cultivated for 6 months of the year, from May – October followed by Prawn cultivation from November – April. This form of paddy cultivation also attracts many migratory birds to the region, making Kadamakkudy, one of the major bird-watching hotspots in Kerala, with a sighting of more than 200 different species. Also, the region is rich in mangroves as well as butterfly diversity with more than 40 different species spotted here (2). Until recently the region had very limited accessibility and hence did not witness a drastic development. Hence the region has retained much of its rural character in spite of the proximity to the city. The construction of a new National Highway and bridges have currently improved the accessibility to the area. As a result, there has been a massive inflow of tourists to the region due to its attractiveness as well as proximity to the city. However, being an eco-sensitive region, the area requires careful scrutiny and regulation in regard to catering for its tourists, without affecting the wetlands, the mangroves and the regions rich in bird and butterfly species. Also, as the region has had very poor economic growth, the tourism can be utilised to bring in a boost to the local economy. The paper aims to explore how the tourism potential and empowerment of the local community can be done to help moderate the development of the region, without compromising its ecosensitivity. The study was done through primary consultation with a few of the major stakeholders such as the DTPC, the Local Governing body, the Farmers Societies, Homestay Owners, The Agriculture Department and Fisheries of the Panchayat, Social Institutions as well as utilising an existing available secondary data. The primary result was the identification of relevant approach for tourism, utilising the mode of responsible tourism and integrating components of agro tourism, to develop the tourism and the community. Strategies have been derived for the implementation of these responsibilities utilising the local social institutions. A spatial identification of the regions that are most ecologically sensitive has been done to regulate development while preserving required areas. Proposals by DTPC have been analysed and unfeasible proposals identified and alternatives provided, as well as new proposals suggested. Extent to which the work is generally applicable. This work can be applied to ecologically sensitive areas as a model for developing the region, while also emphasising on the empowerment of the local communities as well as for the tourism planning in such areas. 1. V, D., 2015. Development with an ecological perspective focusing on Wetlands of Kadamakudy Panchayat. Thrissur, Procedia Technology , pp. 1691- 1698. 2. Antony, S., Sugathan & R., 2018. A study on diversity and abundance of Butterfly species in Cheriya Kadamakkudy. BHARATA MATA JOURNAL of Multidisciplinary Studies, V(2), pp. 59-76.
