Thiruvananthapuram: The ‘boat pura’ at Vallakadavu was a historic port of sorts where commodities came from other districts through the Parvathi Puthanar. After yet another round of restoration, the boat house will become a biodiversity museum in the coming months.
The 5000-square-foot medieval structure will get a Rs 2.5- crore facelift by the time the works are completed. The museum will have LCD screens and models to virtually display the varied biodiversity of the state.
The 18th century structure belonging to the tourism department has been leased to Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) for 30 years. However, the structure will essentially stop being a boat house and will be reduced to a building with a pond.
“The entry point of the boat house that connects it with Parvathi Puthanar will be sealed to prevent the seepage of polluted water from the river. That is the only major work that remains now. The pond thus created will replenish on its own as there are springs underneath,” said Mr Oommen V. Oomen, chairman of the Biodiversity board.
The KSBB plans to grow exotic species of fishes and other organisms here. Though there were promises that the antique beauty of the boat house will be retained, a wall has been constructed blocking the nostalgia- evoking view of berthing points on the boat house.
“There is a possibility of children falling into the water body and hence we made a compound wall,” Mr Oommen added.
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