“Clean Kerala Initiative”: Industry pledges to embrace RT practice
Leaders of tourism industry have unanimously agreed on the action plan for implementing a “Green Code of Conduct” in nine major tourist destinations and accommodation units in Kerala, as the two-day workshop held to mark the launch of “Clean Kerala Initiative,” piloted by Responsible Tourism Mission (RT) with the co-operation of the stake-holders in the tourism sector, concluded on Thursday.
As per the action plan, at least two of these centres will be converted into RT practising destinations before December 31. Besides, by September 30, possible accommodation units in different parts will be declared plastic-free.
The programme was organized by RT Mission in association with Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) and local self government institutions, to push the plans to keep prime tourism destinations plastic and garbage free. Hon. Minister for Tourism, Co-operation and Devaswom Kadakampally Surendran launched the initiative at Chaithram Hotel here on Wednesday.
Nine destinations– Kovalam, Munnar, Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Wayanad, Fort Kochi, Kollam, Thekkady, and Bakel– have been identified for the implementation of the new project in the first phase from a list of 21 destinations. The project will take these tourist centres to Green Certification platform by making them the focus of eco-friendly and responsible tourism activities.
On the concluding day, cloth bags for the selected nine destinations were distributed. N Jagajeevan, Consultant, Haritha Keralam Mission, inaugurated the programme by handing over a cloth bag to Baby Mathew Somatheeram, President, KTM.
Rupeshkumar K, Coordinator, Kerala RT Mission, presented a draft of Classification Guidelines for destination certification and roadmap for “Clean Kerala Initiative” on the occasion.
Abraham George, Managing Trustee, KTM; presented “KTM Nine Point” agenda that includes reducing the use of plastics, local purchase, organic farming promotion and green protocol. N Jagajeevan presented a paper on the topic “Waste Disposal and Responsible Tourism.”
With the implementation of the project in places where RT activities in socio-economic sectors have already become successful, the state will have tourism destinations that have adopted cent percent RT initiatives.
Jayakumar, Assistant Planning Officer, Tourism; Ravi Shankar. K.V, Member, Advisory Committee, Tourism; and Jose Mathew, Treasurer, KTM were also present.
The second day of the workshop was also attended by RT Mission Coordinators, Secretaries of District Tourism Promotion Councils (DTPC), tourism entrepreneurs, and employees of Tourism Department.
