Hill station tourism

Kerala’s best known hill station, Munnar, has faced considerable deterioration over the years, though it is quite serene and idyllic compared to many other much trodden hill stations in India. Tourism development is also having anegative impact on the local plantation based economy. One suggestion thatemerges is that to the extent possible, tourism development may be encouragedin places where the plantation or other form of local economy is on the downslidedue to extraneous reasons.The focus of attention now is on the proposed large-scale hill stationdevelopment at Wagamon in Idukki district, for which private participation isbeing scouted. Many other hilly areas in the State offer scope for various forms oftourism activities such as picnicking, trekking, rock climbing, etc., which need tobe evaluated. Places like Ranipuram, Nelliampathy and Pythalmala could meritattention. With some developments already in place in parts of Wayanad district,it would be appropriate to explore the possibility of attracting further investmentsto this region to achieve economies of clustering and integration of tourismactivities, so that they can benefit from common access roads, transportation andother facilities.