ARIPPA ECO-TOURISM

ARIPPA ECO-TOURISM

         Arippa is in Trivandrum district of Kerala. It is located 52 km northeast of Trivandrum. The place is known for its diverse species of birds and wildlife.

 Tourists can have the opportunity of trekking, bird/wildlife watching and outdoor jungle camping in Arippa.The Arippa forest would soon turn out to be an eco-tourism hub offering various facilities to travellers, including night camping in the woods.The Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) has charted out a Rs 42-lakh development plan for the destination which would also benefit travellers to Thenmala and Mankayam waterfalls. Arippa, situated around 52 km from the capital on the Shencottah highway, now has meagre accommodation facilities, insufficient to cater to the large number of travellers arriving there.

           The destination boasts of Myristica Swamp, a characteristic eco-system found in valleys. Along the Western Ghats, this forest type is found at Shendurney, Kulathupuzha, Anchal ranges, besides Arippa.  Bird watching, wildlife sighting and visits to tribal settlements are other attractions of the destination.  The KFDC officials said that the development project planned for the destination mainly focuses on improving accommodation facilities.‘Jyothismathy’, the inspection bungalow of the Corporation, will be renovated and more rooms would be added. A kitchen-cum-dining hall and an interpretation centre will also be set up,” said an official.  “The highlight would be the night camping options in two Swiss cottage tents and five normal tents,” he added.

The Corporation has also trained 15 personnel of the Kani tribe to guide the tourists. “Tourists will be allowed to explore the woods in specific locations. Trained guides would lead the forest trips,” the official said. “Empowerment of local population is our priority. The personnel selected as guides belong to the Kottamavu Kani settlement,” he said. The officials hope the improved facilities would attract more travellers to the destination as the Thenmala eco-tourism destination, situated around 20 km away and nearby Mankayam waterfalls do not have accommodation facilities. The KFDC plans to launch the new facilities by December this year.

Kerala government plans to introduce more facilities for tourists at the scenic Arippa forests in the Western Ghats where travellers get a glimpse of wildlife and a unique ecosystem. 
A Rs 42 lakh development programme had been chalked out for the tourist destination along the Senkottah highway for the benefit of travellers, a Kerala Forests Development Corporation (KFDC) release here said. 

The development plan aims at providing better accommodation facilities at the spot, which would also be useful for travellers to nearby Thenmala and Mankayam waterfalls. The existing guest house of the corporation at Arippa would be renovated by constructing more rooms. Night camping tents would also be set up, the release stated. 

Prof. John Kurakar