and now jumbo tourism

After Ayurveda tourism and Monsoon tourism its now Jumbo tourism. Welcome to Konni elephant training camp, the latest hotspot on the tourism map of ‘God’s Own Country’.

The ecotourism department of the state along with forest and tourism department has worked out a Rs.2.5 crore Konni Ecotourism Project. The project to be completed in four phases will focus on the elephant link of the place. The first phase is already nearing completion and is expected to be commissioned within three months.

The project envisages expanding the existing century-old wooden ‘kraal’ at Konni into a full fledged elephant camp. Visitors would be able to have a first hand experience on how the elephants are captured and trained at the camp. Facilities for elephant shows will also be provided.

Other major attractions of the project include setting up of an elephant museum, biogas plant and paper manufacturing plant, which is a first of its kinds in India. The elephant camp will also have a mini theatre where films and documentaries related to elephants will be screened. Besides these the first phase of the Konni Ecotourism Project also includes an administration complex, elephant shelters, rain shelters, pathways, mahout shed and exhibition area workshop.

Construction of a watch tower on Kottaparamala, linking of two hills with a rope way, and development of retiring facilities in the interior forest areas of Konni are also part of the project in its later phases.

The project will be managed by Vana Samrakshana Samiti which is a committee of local people. Through this association the ecotourism department hopes to ensure the participation of the local people in the protection of forests.