KANNUR:
Environment-friendly and community-centric Responsible Tourism (RT) project was launched at Dharmadom in the district on Saturday, setting the stage to lure more tourists to the unspoilt rural stretches of the area.
Inaugurating the project and one-day workshop at Pinarayi Service Co-operative Bank Hall, District Panchayat president K V Sumesh said local bodies should take the initiative to implement projects to attract more tourists, which will bring benefits to the local community at the grass roots. Pinarayi Village Panchayat president Smt C K Geethamma presided over the function.
Geographically an island, surrounded by Anjarakandy river on three sides and the Arabian Sea towards the west, Dharmadom has a history stretching back to thousands of years. Once known as Dharmapattanam, the area is believed to be a Buddhist centre in the past. The islet has references in Jewish and Arab maritime trade records as well as the Portuguese, French and British documents of the colonial era.
Dharmadom and its surroundings are also famous for folk arts like Theyyam and a variety of crafts and traditional occupations, which offer a traditional flavour to the enjoyment of visitors.
State RT Mission Co-ordinator K Rupesh Kumar made a presentation on “Activities under Responsible Tourism in Kerala” at the workshop. Biji Xavier, Mission Co-ordinator, led a class on ‘online platforms’ and Sibin P Paul, district co-ordinator for RT, briefed the participants on the activities in Kannur district.
Dharmadom and its surroundings are also famous for folk arts like Theyyam and a variety of crafts and traditional occupations, which offer a traditional flavour to the enjoyment of visitors.
K K Sajeevan, Block Panchayat President, Thalassery, M C Mohanan, Block Panchayat president, Edakkad, C P Anitha, President, Vengad Village Panchayat, K P Balagopalan, president, Peralassery Village Panchayat, M P Habees, president Muzhappilangad Villge Panchayat, T V Lakshmi, president, Chembilod Village Pancahayat, T V Seetha, president, Anjarakandi Village Panchayatt, K K Gireesan, president, Kadambaur Village Panchayat, TV T Ramla, District panchayat Standing Committee (Welfare) Member, K K Sobha, District Standing Commitee Member (Public Works), District Panchayat members P Vineetha, P Gouri, and K Mahija, Tourism Deputy Director P Muraleedharan and Distrkict Tourism Promotion Council Secretary Jitheesh Jose also spoke.
