Idukki’s highest level tourist: Riyas

Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine visited the Settlement Memorial Museum in Idukki Park on Saturday. |Picture source: Special arrangement

Tourism Minister Pa Mohamed Riyas said on Saturday that tourism inflows in the mountains are rising and the Hill region has witnessed the arrival of historic tourists over the past three months.

Mr Riyas actually unveiled at the unveiling ceremony of the Kudiyetta Smarakam (Settlement Memorial) of the Photo Frame Project by the Regional Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).

“In the first three months of this year, 9,84,645 domestic tourists visited Idukki, 25% higher than the previous year,” the minister said.

“The number of foreign tourists visiting the area has also increased. In the past three months, 55,033 foreign tourists have visited the area, an increase of 4%.

“The settlement monument depicts the settlement history of farmers in Idukki through installations and sculptures. The project will be an eye-opener for tourists and history enthusiasts,” said Mr Riyas.

The museum was established by the Ministry of Tourism and costs 30 million acres. The sculpture covers the settlement history of six themes. The incitement of settler farmers is also depicted in the museum, including protests led by Communist leader Ak Gopalan and Fr. Joseph Vadakkan.

Sculptures depicting Akg and Fr. Vadakkan depicts their interaction with farmers in the context of a settled village.

The museum also depicts human-animal conflicts in the area. A farmer chasing wild animals from the farmland is depicted. Portraits of early agricultural practices are also shown here.

DTPC’s Photo Framework Project is another innovative project that attracts visitors. DTPC has set up photo frames at seven major tourist destinations in Idukki to give visitors the opportunity to click on photos and take selfies. Photo frames have been set up in Wagamon Meadows, Wagamon Adventure Park, Idukki Hill View Park, Panchalimedu, Ramakkalmedu, Aruvikuzhi and Sreenarayanapuram

Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine chaired the meeting. Regional collector V. Vigneshwari, Panchayat Regional President Rarichen Neeranakunnel, and DTPC Secretary Jithesh Jose, among others.