Even after two recent incidents of drowning, the District Tourism Promotion Council or the local bodies concerned are yet to put in place basic safety arrangements at Kariyathanpara, one of the emerging eco-tourism destinations near Kakkayam in Kozhikode district. Now, rescue operations in times of emergency are carried out by a few local people who say that tourists ignore their warnings.
Though the Kariyathumpara river is comparatively safe for tourists, swimming in deeper areas is dangerous. During festive seasons, the flow of tourists to the location increases.
“We had asked the Tourism Department, the local police and the panchayat authorities to have a proper surveillance mechanism in the area as people who are totally unfamiliar with the region spend lot of time in unsafe spots here. They never listen to the advice of local residents as they think it is a kind of policing,” says Byju Joseph, a resident in the area.
There were even attempts to conduct night camps and liquor parties by youths from distance locations, he claims.
The police say Kariyathanpara is one of the safest destinations near Kakkayam. Only those who carelessly swim in dangerous areas or consume alcohol are at risk, they claim. When contacted, local body representatives said they had taken up the issue with the Tourism Department several times. At least, a few security guards should be posted at the spot by the DTPC as in other such prominent tourism locations, they point out.
Meanwhile, Tourism Department sources said the flow of tourists to Kariyathanpara witnessed an increase very recently and that too through social media. Efforts are on to address safety concerns in the area, they add.
Small-scale homestay entrepreneurs and teashop owners in the area say the increasing number of drowning incidents will hit the popularity of the region and the development of a scenic eco-tourism spot. “What we seek is a proper crowd-controlling mechanism and attempts to prevent unlawful camping and it should be made one of the popular family tourism destinations,” they say.