Kottayam: The various tourism projects that are part of the Ministry of Tourism’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 were inaugurated at Kumarakom today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the projects virtually at 11 am. The event held at KTDC’s Waterscapes Hall at Kavanattinkara was presided over by Minister PA Muhammad Riyas. Meanwhile, Minister VN Vasavan was the chief guest.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0 is a unique tourism project that focusses on sustainable tourism and responsible tourism. A whopping Rs 70 crore has been allotted for the various tourism projects in Kumarakam. Meanwhile, the project would be executed in four stages. In the first phase, the bird sanctuary in Kumarakam would be upgraded into an eco–tourism centre. Rs 13.53 crore would be granted for this.

The development project includes building a four hundred metres boardwalks on the banks of the river, watch tower construction, an interactive zone - terminal deck near the lake at the entrance area, a digital kiosk that contains the data of the birds, restoring the canals inside the sanctuary and installing an electrical landscape. Other projects too would be flagged off in various phases.