ID cards made mandatory to enter Kuruva Island

Mananthavady: Visitors to Kuruva Island (Kuruva Dweep), one of the most popular tourist spots in Wayanad, will have to carry identity cards to gain entry. The new measure has been taken after it was pointed out that the token system in force earlier was being widely misused.

From now on, for entering the island, visitors should produce either Aadhaar card, any other official identity card or driving license, said Kuruva Destination Management Committee (DMC) chief executive officer. The token, issued from Kuruva DMC’s counter at Palvelicham starting 6am everyday, system was introduced after restricting the number of visitors to 400.

The forest department had allowed tourists entry to Kuruva Island from December 16, 2017. The two entry points are the Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS) counter of the forest department at Pakkam and counter run by Kuruva DMC at Palvelicham. From both points, the total number of tourists will be 400. They will have to queue up in front of the counters as there are no online booking available.