This webportal is a collective effort to pool critical resources on Kerala Tourism and its social, political, cultural, environmental and human rights impacts
Tsunami Fund Diversion
KOVALAM ARTIFICIAL REEF: GROUPS DEMAND JUDICIAL ENQUIRY
Submitted by admin on Fri, 09/17/2010 - 11:06MEDIA RELEASE
Kerala Swatanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation & Kerala Tourism Watch
16th September 2010,Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Independent Fish Workers Federation (KSMTF) and Kerala Tourism Watch demands from the Government of India and the State Government, a comprehensive judicial and scientific enquiry, as well as a social audit to analyze the failed aspects and evaluate the overall process of the Artificial Reef in Kovalam.
Environment, Propaganda and Profits
Submitted by admin on Fri, 09/17/2010 - 10:44
Originaly posted at Countermedia.in
Bobby Kunhu
On the eve of a press conference scheduled on the 16th of September 2010 organised by a number of civil society groups and organizations regarding the artificial reefs at Kovalam initiated, propagated and constructed by ASR Ltd, a New Zealand based Multinational and contracted out through the Harbour Engineering Department by the Kerala Tourism Department using funds from the Tsunami rehabilitation Project, a very problematic instance of reportage in the Hindu by Anil Radhakrishnan has been brought under the scanner. The last of this series of reports that has come to my attention is dated August 11, 2010
The reports seems to be done in haste and all of them clearly seem to represent only one side of the story – the side of the company and amongst others seems to have irked the local fishing communities as well. The reports have not even taken enough efforts to cross-verify most of the statements professed by the company.
Struggle against Tsunami Fund Diversion for Tourism Intensifies
Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/04/2008 - 10:51The fishing communities and coastal dwellers in Kerala have intensified their struggle against the attempt to utilize Government of India’s Tsunami Rehabilitation 
fund for building tourism infrastructure. The representatives of people living in the coastal areas, such as Tsunami Rehabilitation Action Council, Fish Workers Federation, Kerala Tourism Watch, Janamunnettam and various other organizations have criticized the Tourism Department’s decision to implement what is called 'Ente Theeram' project for tourism development using substantial chunk from the Rs 1441.75 crore sanctioned for the Tsunami Rehabilitation Project by the Union Government.
Tourism’s New “Smart Growth”- at whose expense? The Case of Tsunami Fund Appropriation by Kerala Tourism
Submitted by admin on Fri, 10/24/2008 - 10:31Dear friends,
Warm Greetings from Kerala Tourism Watch!
It was the other day the UNWTO at its annual ritual of official Tourism Day Celebration falling on 27th of every September tried to reassure an increasingly skeptical local communities that Tourism growth will be pursued with enhanced emphasis “on ethics and local community involvement…” This, it declared “is the main conclusion of this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD) Think Tank” held in Lima, Peru. The UNWTO in its statement also emphasized that “Tourism must grow in a smart way”.
We bring to your attention an example of such “smart ways” of tourism growth. It comes from Kerala where, in an a appalling violation of Federal Government rules and procedures and fundamental ethical protocols, funds earmarked for rehabilitation of Tsunami victims have been appropriated for Tourism development projects by Kerala Tourism. Will the UNWTO listen?
Tsunami Fund Diversion for Tourism Development: Violation of Rules; Injustice to Coastal Communities
Submitted by admin on Fri, 10/24/2008 - 01:53
Executive Summary
The Tourism Department of Kerala is using substantial funds allocated from the state shar under the Central Government of India’s Tsunami Rehabilitation Programme (TRP) to fund 20 tourism projects. In violation to the Planning Commission guidelines, these projects are not in tsunami-affected areas. Furthermore, the projects will bring hardly any benefit to local people, particularly marginalised affected fishing communities, and in many cases will place their land, livelihoods and traditional way of life under renewed threat. They are being done in the name of coastal protection while they are all for the development of tourism infrastructure and so-called beautification of beaches.
Tourism Concern, UK, campaigns against diversion of tsunami rehabilitation funds for Kerala tourism development
The London based Tourism Concern asks supporters “to lobby the Government of Kerala of the diversion of tsunami rehabilitation meant for rebuilding the lives and livelihoods of tsunami-affected communities in Kerala, India, to develop tourism”. Read the briefing document from Tourism Concern Riding the wave: Tsunami rehabilitation funds diverted for tourism and see the campaign call to send fax messages to the Chief Minister for Kerala and the Minister for Tourism expressing concern over the diversion of tsunami rehabilitation funds for the development of tourism.
