Responsible Tourism

Joseph Kaduthanam

Tourism is an expression of man's natural instinct to move from one place to another and to appreciate wonders of the nature. Kerala has emerged as one of the most sought after tourist destinations due to its ayurvedic health services, houseboat rides in its backwaters and rivers, tranquil beaches, exhilarating hill stations, salubrious climate, festivals, exotic wildlife, various artifacts and the surfing scenic beauty all around.

But are we determined to judiciously utilise these God given blessings? Are we serious about our environment, traditions and heritages and to our own people? Are we accountable to our next generation? A closer look at the recent development in Kerala will give an insight into some realities.

Our forests are becoming barren and the wild animals are getting into the inlands in search of food. Our rivers and lakes are being polluted and our marine wealth is dwindling. Will our next generation be able to enjoy the nature's bounties that we are enjoying now? Europeans come here because they cannot swim in their beaches and rivers due to polluted water due to heavy industrialisation from the last century. Now they are spending billions of Euros to make their waters habitable for fish and useful for mankind.

But will they come here once our waters are polluted and the forests go barren? Will they come to us when mosquitoes spread deadly viruses? Will they come to us when our own safety is in question? Foreigners enjoy houseboats when they see serene waters and can move rhythmically over the waters and not when they speed over the waters. Man controlled boating will reduce noise disturbance for the neighbourhood and fishermen folk. This is responsible tourism.

The trade associations must educate the citizens to keep the environment healthy and hygienic.The sporadic growth of industry has obviously contributed significantly towards the amelioration of modern man. But industry must respect nature, local people and their traditions. If the travel and tourism industry is to survive, pollution, particularly aquatic, should be controlled. And inevitably the obvious breeding of mosquitoes should be arrested.

The Kerala government, while bent on promoting tourism, is lackadaisal on backwater pollution. The government can effectively safeguard our waters by engaging local people as well as employing a special police force called the "Blue Police". The "Blue Police" on those who pollute their surroundings, whether it is water or road, can mete out suitable punishments. Responsible tourism begins only when the travel and tourism industry becomes sagacious.

The author Joseph Kaduthanam has developed a marketing portal www.aymex.com with instant booking engine for Ayurveda centres and resorts. The Ayurveda Hospital Management Association has honoured him with the title of Brand Ambassador of Ayurveda in July 2007 in Kochi