Top-earning ecotourism centres in Kerala: Athirappilly secures fourth place with Rs 2.14 crore

Thrissur: Athirappilly in Thrissur district of Kerala has secured the fourth position in earnings among the 60 ecotourism centres in the state. As per official data, the revenue from Athirappilly in 2022 was Rs 2,14,16,000. 

The waterfall is renowned as the location for the shoot of the SS Rajamouli film 'Bahubali:The Beginning.' Many other hit films like 'Guru,' 'Dil Se' and more were shot with the falls as their backdrop. 

Athirappilly falls is often called the Niagra of South India. The 80 feet tall falls  is on the Chalakkudy River. 

The top three 
When income from Vazhachal, Peechi and Chimmini ecotourism centres also is considered, the total earnings in Thrissur district amounted to Rs 3.08 crore.

The income from Vazhachal alone was Rs 25.43 lakh, while Peechi received Rs 35.02 lakh and Chimmini Rs 34.27 lakh.

The top three ecotourism centres in Kerala considering revenue are Eravikulam National Park in Munnar, Periyar tiger reserve at Thekkady and Parambikulam tiger reserve. The revenue includes ticket sales, room rent at rest houses and income from various tourism projects. The total earnings from Eravikulam came to Rs 4.36 crore, Thekkady Rs 2.80 crore and Parambikulam Rs 2.54 crore.

A big relief for ecotourism centres
Major ecotourism centres which were placed behind Athirappilly include Ponmudi, Nilambur, Thusharagiri, Wayanad Kuruva, Shendurney, Thattekkad, Chinnar, Silent Valley and Muthanga.

The increase in earnings during 2022 is a big relief for the ecotourism centres, which are on the path of recovery following the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. 

No online booking
Ironically, even though the Forest Department is keen to boost its earnings, authorities have ignored suggestions to tap a major source of income – online booking for rooms at inspection bungalows (IBs) and rest houses.

According to the Forest Department, IBs and rest houses are meant to accommodate its officers who are camping in forest areas. If rooms in these places are let out to the public through online booking, it would cause inconvenience to Forest Department officers on duty in the forest, said authorities.

Meanwhile, even though another suggestion to allow online booking for rooms not used by officers on duty was also made, that too was rejected by the Forest Department.

How to reach Athirappilly waterfalls
The waterfalls is around  1 hour and 12 minutes via NH344 and the Chalakudy – Anamala Road. The nearest railway station is Chalakudy and airport is Nedumbasseri in Kochi. Vazhachal falls is 7 kms from Athirappilly via Chalakudy - Anamala Road.