The Hindu Business Line : Kerala Tourism prepares draft guidelines for special zones

The draft guidelines for the conservation and preservation of Kovalam, Munnar, Kumarakom and Fort Kochi are available for comment on the Kerala Tourism Web site, said Mr B. Suman, Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.

These four regions were recently declared special tourism zones by the State Government under the Kerala Tourism (Conservation and Preservation of Areas) Act 2005.

While preservation, conservation and integrated development of the special tourism zones is the main objective, separate guidelines have been prepared for each zone.

For instance, the draft guidelines for the conservation and preservation of Fort Kochi emphasise the need to prepare a list of all heritage buildings, heritage precincts and listed natural features within the area. It also outlines the process that will be adopted to grade the various heritage buildings of Fort Kochi.

Besides, the guidelines explain the implications of a building being listed as a heritage structure, including the restrictions on the development and repair of such buildings. The draft guidelines also contain detailed, street-by-street design specifications for Forth Kochi.

These design guidelines contain information on the predominant architectural styles and colour palettes found in each street. Structural aspects covered in these specifications include the roof, walls and the foundation.

Other aspects of the draft guidelines for Fort Kochi include special regulations that deal with aspects such as street furniture, availability of water, sewage disposal and so on. Special regulations for ayurveda centres, restaurants and houseboats are also contained in the draft guidelines.

Similarly, the draft guidelines for the conservation and preservation of Kovalam demarcate the various coastal areas of Thiruvanan- thapuram that are included in this zone. The guidelines contain detailed, region-wise development regulations for the various regions that constitute the Kovalam special tourism zone.

Besides, design specifications, the plans also include a list of activities that are permitted within the zone and also a list of prohibited activities. The conservation guidelines for Kovalam also emphasise that all development activity in the region must not only conform with the Costal Regulation Zone norms, but must also follow certain rules on `foreshore set back'. As with the guidelines for Fort Kochi, those for Kovalam also contain regulations that deal with aspects such as water quality, waste management and so on.

Special regulations for restaurants, houseboats and ayurveda centres are also specified.

For Kumarakom and Munnar too, the draft conservation and preservation guidelines include various plans and regulations to suit the requirements of each destination. At the same time, some of the regulations and development plans for these regions are the same as those for Kovalam and Fort Kochi.

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