Kalpetta: Following the High Court order to lift the ban on tourism activities in all ecotourism centres of Wayanad, the forest department green signalled the opening of all the ecotourism centres of Wayanad. The entry fee will be increased, and the daily limit of visitors will be reduced as part of the changing rules. The earlier intervention of the High Court was a sequel to the death of P V Paul, an employee of Kuruva Ecotourism Centre at Pakkam, in an elephant attack on February 15 this year. The spots that will be opened soon are Kuruva Island, Chembra Peak, Soochippara Water Falls, Meenmutti waterfalls at Banasura Mountains, and the Kattukunnu-Aanachola trekking trail. Kuruva Island will open on October 15, and Soochippara Waterfalls will open on November 1. The other destinations will open on October 21.
Kuruva Island
Daily visitor limit: 400 (earlier 900)
(200 visitors each will be allowed in through the Pakkam and Palvelicham gates)
Ticket rate for adults: Rs 220 ( Rs 110 earlier)
Ticket rate for children: Rs 150 (Rs 75 earlier)
Ticket rate for foreigners: Rs 200 (Rs 450 earlier)
Best season to visit: October to March
Note: In tune with the order, the entry to Kuruva Islands from Palvelicham and Pakkam gates would be completely under the control of the forest department. Earlier, the entry to Kuruva Islands from Palvelicham was controlled by the District Tourism Promotion Council, whereas from Pakkam, it was the forest department.
Chembra Peak trekking trail
Daily visitor limit: 75 (200 earlier)
Ticket rate for adults: Rs 5000 (for a 5-member group)
Ticket rate for children: Rs 1,600 (group of 5)
Ticket rate for foreigners: Rs 8,000 ( group of 5)
Best season to visit: October to March
Soochippara
Daily visitor limit: 500
Ticket rate for adults: Rs 100
Ticket rate for children: Rs 50
Ticket rate for foreigners: Rs 200
Best season to visit: October to March
Kattukunnu Aanachola trekking trail
Daily visitor limit: 25
Ticket rate for adults: Rs 5000 (a group of 5)
Ticket rate for children: Rs 3000
Ticket rate for foreigners: Rs 7000
Best season to visit: November to April
According to South Wayanad DFO Ajith K Raman, discussions are underway on renting the boats to DTPC and providing jobs to the existing employees of DTPC who will lose their jobs when the forest department takes over the operations entirely.
