Guidelines for tenting in tents to be obligatory quickly in Kerala

Express News Service
KALPETTA: The state tourism division has requested the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society to give you tips for tenting in tents by bringing it beneath journey sports activities. Though the society has laid down norms for 30 actions within the state, these are silent on tenting and tents.In the context of the dying of a girl camper at a resort in Meppadi, who was trampled by an wild elephant, the division has determined to control the operation of such tents. Wayanad District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) secretary Anand B mentioned several types of tents are getting used, starting from primary to luxurious ones with air-conditioners. 

In Kerala, particularly in Wayanad, the tents are promoted as a less expensive technique of lodging. “In fact, tents are built in such places where hotel facility is not possible. For example, during Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan, tents are erected in the desert in November as building hotels and resorts for a small period is not feasible. Apart from this, tents are used by travellers who happen to stay in forest or hills during trekking. Those trekking tents should be made with the help of experts, keeping in mind the direction and strength of wind, terrain and protection from wild animals. It is not a cheaper alternative to hotel accommodation,” Anand mentioned. 

Usually, the tents and tenting are seen extra in resorts in Meppadi, Vythiri and Muppainad grama panchayats in Wayanad. These areas come beneath the forest vary and tents are put up as part of trekking. Therefore, the security points could be the principle precedence for authorities whereas formulating the rules for tents. Manesh Bhaskar, CEO of Thiruvananthapuram-based Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society, mentioned the brand new tips and registration will probably be relevant to all resort and lodge house owners within the state.

“The Union Ministry of Tourism had released guidelines for tents in 2018 during the tenure of Alphons Kannanthanam. But these do not insist on registration and are mere guidelines that may or may not be followed. At the same time, there are strict guidelines for trekking, which is clubbed with camping or tents in Kerala. To ensure safety as well as streamline the process, the state government has asked us to frame guidelines for registration before putting up tents. The discussions are still going on,” Manesh added. 

Meanwhile, he hopes that the brand new registration mechanism will profit the tourism sector. “Tragedies like what happened in Meppadi could also affect the growth of the tourism sector. If the resort and hotels owners get registration to provide tents, it will attract more tourists as their credibility would increase.”

Safety points to be given precedenceUsually, tents and tenting are seen extra in resorts in Meppadi, Vythiri and Muppainad grama panchayats in Wayanad. These areas come beneath the forest vary and tents are put up as part of trekking. Therefore, the security points could be the principle precedence for authorities whereas formulating the rules