THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For the first time ever, a tourism destination in the state will have an independent security system. The overall charge of the coastal area’s security — hitherto split into separate jurisdictions between a number of government bodies — will be consolidated in the hands of a ‘Destination Manager’. The position will become the designated authority to handle matters of day-to-day operational security. What’s more, the entire resort area will be under round-the-clock security system, which will include a CCTV surveillance network.
Discrete fencing would also be put up around popular viewpoints such as the Edakkal rocks to ensure tourist safety without becoming an eyesore. The improved security is part of a facelift planned for the beach destination, which is now facing a fall in tourist footfalls. A short-term roadmap was laid out by Kerala Tourism at a joint action meeting held here the other day. The gathering was led by Kovalam MLA M. Vincent and tourism director U.V. Jose. Among the other issues discussed were infrastructural concerns such as the supply of potable water, waste management, adequate vehicle parking facilities and public safety measures besides updates on the status of renovation works.
“The meeting was convened to both extend resolute support at all levels to help preserve Kovalam and also to ensure that all corrective measures currently being implemented are completed well before the first week of November, when the tourist season officially kicks off,” Mr Jose said. Noting that preserving Kovalam’s natural beauty would require shared commitment, he added that joint efforts such as the undertaking between the Kerala Hotel and Rest-aurant Association and the Kovalam Protection Council to help guarantee proper lighting and the maintenance of such throughout the resort were steps in the right direction. “The KHRA and the KPC are also working together to check further dumping of waste,” Mr Jose said. The action plan called for finding a permanent solution to the problem of garbage disposal.
