Kerala to promote pilgrim tourism with 'kavukal'

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Devaswom Minister K.C. Venugopal said the Tourism Department was initiating steps to promote pilgrim tourism by linking it with ''kavukals'' (groves) in the Malabar region.

Replying to questions by M. Murali (Cong) and others, he told the Assembly that the ''kavukals'' were in a pathetic condition and the government would take steps to protect the groves so that they can be linked with pilgrim tourism.

Venugopal said that 72 acre of Devaswom land had been encroached by the public and steps were being taken to get back their possession. So far only three acres of land could be recovered and strict instructions had been issued to district collectors to take steps to get back the remaining land.

On renovation work in temples, he said there was a proposal to frame a common guideline for maintaining their sanctity and tradition while undertaking such work.

The government was planning to implement a master plan, including construction of a base camp at Nilakkal, for providing better facilities to pilgrims visiting the Sabarimala shrine and Eco-Smart had been asked to prepare a detailed report in this regard.