State government has given green signal for developing a tourism project linking the eastern stretches of Kottayam and Idukki districts, combining pilgrim, green and eco tourism initiatives.

The project plans to develop tourism movement to Bharananganam, Kadappattur , Nalambalam, Ramapuram areas and link them with the eco tourism centres at Elaveezhapoonjira, Marmala, Ayyanpara, Illikkallu, and Wagamon areas. According to U V Jose, additional director, Tourism and Jiju Jose, secretary, District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), development of a trekking circuit as part of the initiative in developing adventure tourism has also in the pipeline.

This project envisages linking Melucavu with Thangal para via Elaveezhapoonjira, Illikkallu, Ayyanpara and Wagamon. Setting up of an Information Centre, parking facility, food court and toilet facilities at Kananmkattu which forms the valley of Elaveezhapoonjira is also included in the project as per a report in the Hindu.

The DTPC facility at Elaveezhapoonjira will be turned into a camp station. Tenting facilities will also be provided here. The top station at Illikkallu, the highest point in the circuit will be equipped with a telescope. Parts of Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts could be viewed from here.

A new police station and a government guest house at Vazhikkadavu are also part of the project.

According Tourism authorities a workshop will be held at Ayyanpara to workout the details of the project Tourism Minister K P Anilkumar, Finance Minister K M Mani Government Chief Whip P C George, Kottayam MP, Jose K Mani and others would participate in the workshop which officials, people’s representatives and representatives of political parties would participate.