Coir Village to come up for tourists

Alappuzha, Jun 28: A cruise down the Kerala backwaters may soon provide tourists not only a beautiful ride but also a chance to learn about the traditional coir industry in the state.

The Alappuzha District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) has decided to develop Kayippuram in Muhamma panchayat, the nerve centre of the coir industry, as a ''coir village'' for tourists.

Muhamma, located on the western bank of the famous Vembanad lake, is dotted with coir units and tourist resorts as hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the backwaters every year.

The DTPC has sought the help of the local administration departments, Coir Board and self-financing societies to develop the ''coir village'', spread over an area of two kilometers.

The preliminary work on the project has already started. If successful, the project can be replicated in other areas and change the face of the villages situated along the backwaters here, DTPC officials say.

The project, which is completely in tune with the eco-tourism concept being promoted in Kerala, would showcase each stage of coir product making, from the separation of the fibres from coconut husk to the making of yarn and mats and the stenciling on mats and mattings.

''These are vivid spectacles which should be of interest to both foreign and domestic tourists,'' the officials said.

In addition, a 'coir museum' is being planned and the villagers also will be provided with information on the history of the coir industry to share with tourists. Stalls will also be put up for selling coir products.

For the convenience of tourists, a houseboat terminal will also be built. Restaurants serving local cuisine, including all types of fish curries, will also be opened to give the tourists a taste of the God's Own Country.

UNI