Vagamon Tourism in Kerala- Its Impact on Economy and Environment

Abstract

Development of tourism has been given a high priority in the economic development programmes of the country since 1980s. The state of Kerala, which is now stylized as „God‟s own Country‟ in the global tourist map, has also accorded it a major position in order to reorient its economic development utilizing its natural green environment. Accordingly, development of tourism in all its variety including "beach tourism", "back water tourism", "village tourism", "ecotourism", "adventure tourism", "monsoon tourism", "heritage tourism", etc., is being promoted in the state. The Vagamon region is largely rural comprising tea plantations, forests and grasslands. The present scenario is pathetically poignant. The naturally formed streams are being blocked and the sudden huge inflow of people in large and medium vehicles that ply on 2 the silken hills have disturbed the natural quiet, have shaken the soil, loosened the rocky structures and disturbed the entire ecology of the area .The objective of this paper is to analyze the economic and environmental impacts of Vagamon tourism and to suggest measures to protect the tourist spot. It also evolves a „sustainable developmental strategy‟ of tourism, focusing on the Kerala scenario. The methodology used is both primary and secondary. The local inhabitants of the place were interviewed as the preliminary step. Data, information and facts projected in the mass media – books, journal, national newspaper, and national seminars as well as in the apex forums of India have been used to analyze the economic and environmental impact of Vagamon tourism.