Tharuvaikulam ecotourism in limbo as glass-bottom boat lies abandoned for 1.5 yrs

THE glass-bottom boat, which was launched by the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust (GoMBRT) to promote ecotourism, has been left in a state of disrepair for the past one-and-a-half years.

- S GODSON WISELY DASS

With the footfall to the facility declining over the years, the boat and wooden jetty sustained damages due to irregular operation, forcing the authorities concerned to look for other viable beaches to shift the facility.

Launched in 2022 as part of a community-based ecotourism initiative at Tharuvaikulam beach, the glass-bottom boat aims to show visitors the pristine and coveted beauty of Gulf of Mannar, a rich marine biodiversity spot. Visitors were taken into the sea near Kaasuvaari island on the boat to catch a glimpse of the coral patches, underwater organisms and to experience snorkelling at Gulf of Mannar national park.