Weak regulations put houseboat industry in troubled waters

A CRUISE through Vembanad Lake, enjoying the tranquil beauty of the backwaters aboard a houseboat, while savouring delectable kayal dishes, stands out as a major attraction for tourists arriving in Kumarakom and Alappuzha.

- ABHILASH CHANDRAN @kottayam

A CRUISE through Vembanad Lake, enjoying the tranquil beauty of the backwaters aboard a houseboat, while savouring delectable kayal dishes, stands out as a major attraction for tourists arriving in Kumarakom and Alappuzha. However, the houseboat industry in these two regions is currently grappling with significant challenges owing to various reasons, including unclear regulations governing the sector.

While a proposal to allocate more houseboats on Vembanad Lake, which sparked significant opposition from the Houseboat Owners Associations last year, is still under the consideration of the court, the houseboat owners are up in arms alleging lack of support from the Kerala Maritime Board (KMB), the licensing body as well as from the government.