By Sachin Jose
KOTTAYAM: Wayside leissure spots like “Nalumanikattu” (evening breeze) has gained popularity among the people of this district who prefer such open spaces to enclosed urban parks.
Jitin Das, a frequent visitor at Nalumanikattu, said, “We need not pay any entry fee and may stay as long as we wish unlike urban parks where the visit is time-bound.”
The success of Nalumanikattu on Manarcad-Ettumanoor Bypass has inspired similar ventures in other parts of this district, which are maintained by environmental organisations like Voice of Nature and Tropical Institute of Ecological Science (TIES).
“Aattutheeram” (river shore) on the Ettumanoor-Pala Highway in Mutholy and “Puzhayora Sahyanam” (riverside evening) at Kalathilkadavu on the Devalokam-Kolladu Road are the two projects inspired by Nalumanikattu.
TIES Director Punnen Kurian, who pioneered the Nalumanikattu project, said these wayside leisure corners, which are located at major roads of the district, have the potential of turning into “tourist” spots.
Moreover, Babu Cherian, a coconut vendor at Aattutheeram, said, “The river bank was used as a dumping yard by commuters. It had been revived into a local tourist spot, which has become a source of income for me."
“Visitors are usually long-distance travellers who stop for a break from their tiresome journey,” he added. “It is a place of rendezvous for the local residents who come here for an evening chat daily.”
Another non-governmental organisation, revealed that similar projects are planned near Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom.
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