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ICONIC HOUSEBOATS OF KERALA TOURISM IN TROUBLED WATERS

The New Indian Express Kochi

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December 03, 2024

Overcrowding, environmental neglect, growing pollution and lack of regulations key issues

- SHAINU MOHAN @T'Puram

ICONIC HOUSEBOATS OF KERALA TOURISM IN TROUBLED WATERS

KERALA's iconic houseboats, a major tourism product that has remained the face of Kerala Tourism, is slowly drifting into oblivion owing to overcrowding, environmental neglect, growing pollution and lack of regulations.

The famed backwaters of Vembanad Lake, a designated Ramsar Site and the largest lake in the state, which used to offer unique experiences to tourists now cuts a sorry figure because of over-congestion and lack of stringent waste management system.

As per a recent report by Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), there are around 821 houseboats registered in Alappuzha port of registry that operate in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts.

An assessment carried out based on the satellite imagery has found that, besides the docked boats and those under repair a total of 928 houseboats were identified doing rides in the lake.

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