19 hrs ago
Kerala Launches Workations, Pod Stays and Forest Products
Kerala is creating new ways for people to visit forests while enjoying nature.
Some visitors will be able to work remotely from special workation facilities.
These facilities have opened at Gavi and Suryanelli.
Four small pod homes are also being built at Vagamon.
The government has launched tea and coffee under the ATMA brand.
KFDC sandalwood will be sold under the Kalabham brand.
Visitors will also be able to pay for some trips in instalments.
Officials say the projects should help local communities while protecting the environment.
Kerala inaugurated SHOLA workation facilities at Gavi and Suryanelli for visitors working amid nature.
A premium pod-stay project at Vagamon will include four pods expected to be completed by December.
The Kerala Forest Development Corporation launched ATMA tea and coffee products from its plantations.
KFDC sandalwood will be marketed under the Kalabham brand, alongside eco-guide training and instalment-based travel.
Officials said the projects aim to expand sustainable tourism, local economic activity and value addition without harming ecosystems.
- Who
- The Kerala government, the Kerala Forest Development Corporation, Chief Minister V D Satheesan and Forest and Wildlife Minister Shibu Baby John.
- What
- New workation facilities, pod stays, branded forest products, eco-guide training and instalment-based travel were launched.
- Where
- The initiatives involve Gavi, Suryanelli, Vagamon and KFDC facilities in Kerala; the launch event was held at Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram.
- When
- The facilities were inaugurated on Tuesday, September 30; the Vagamon pods are expected to be completed by December.
- Why
- To promote sustainable eco-tourism, attract visitors to forest-border areas, support local economic activity and add value to forest products.
Development and Tourism
Environmental Protection
Balancing visitor growth
Development and Tourism
The government says forest destinations can create new tourism experiences, attract more visitors and support local economic activity.
Environmental Protection
Officials stressed that tourism and development must proceed without harming the ecosystem.
Using forest resources
Development and Tourism
The initiatives promote value-added products such as ATMA tea and coffee and Kalabham sandalwood.
Environmental Protection
The projects are framed as sustainable development that should protect biodiversity while using the tourism potential of forest areas.
Key facts
- Workation facilities
- SHOLA facilities were inaugurated at Gavi and Suryanelli.
- Pod stays
- Four premium pods are being built at Vagamon, with completion expected by December.
- Tea and coffee brand
- KFDC plantation products were launched under the ATMA brand.
- Sandalwood brand
- KFDC sandalwood will be marketed as Kalabham.
- Travel payment
- The Travel Today Pay Tomorrow initiative will allow tourists to pay in instalments.
- Additional training
- Eco-guide training was launched to improve nature interpretation.
- Policy aim
- Officials described the projects as part of a sustainable Premium Biodiversity Experience.
Quotes
Shibu Baby John
Kerala forest and wildlife minister involved in launching the projects
“Keralam’s biodiversity is world-class and Keralites should have this realisation”
theprint.in
“The number of tourists reaching forest-border areas has increased significantly”
theprint.in
Sources
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