Call to prepare database of trained personnel to help stranded tourists

Malampuzha incident puts focus on conduct of adventure tourism activities

With several minor and major accidents being reported at adventure tourism and other recreational locales, including the latest incident in which a youth got trapped in a crevice of a steep hill at Malampuzha for almost two days, the demand is rife that a database of trained personnel in the State is readied to rush in with help.

There is also a call for enhanced cooperation among tourism, forest and other government agencies concerned in order to streamline such activities and to ensure that only licensed operators are permitted to organise treks and adventure activities.

Forests Minister A.K. Saseendran said crisis situations like the one at Malampuzha could be averted if trekkers registered their names with the agencies concerned, like the Department of Forests. “There are plenty of hilly and forest locales where the department is working in tandem with Kerala Tourism, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation and others, to regulate visitors. On their part, it is ideal if organisers of treks obtain a licence from the agency concerned,” he said.