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Blessed with hills, forests, waterfalls, rivers, backwaters and beaches that are located within a short distance of each other, Kerala offers ample scope for aero, aqua and terrestrial adventure-tourism activities.

The few organizations engaged in adventure-tourism are concentrated on trekking, rock climbing, aero and watersports. Their activities have been hampered because of the delay in getting ‘clearances’ from different departments.

“Adventure tourism is only happening, not picking up. We can do wonders if Kerala Tourism, the district tourism promotion councils (DTPCs) and the Forest Department pitch in with help,” said Wg. Cdr. (Retd) Unnikrishnan Palat, who organizes adventure-sports activities across the country.

Apart from ensuring physical fitness and recreation, adventure-tourism activities provide a broader outlook of life. Keeping this in mind, many companies arrange adventure sports and outdoor activities for their employees to encourage team work and to reduce stress.

The biggest advantage of adventure-tourism is that it is closer to nature.

“They also promote economic development, provide direct and indirect employment, benefit the local community and promotes better understanding and harmony among people,” says Binu Perumana, president of the Tenzing Nature and Adventure Club, Thalanad, Kottayam. He and his team have been organizing adventure sports and nature-awareness programmes for well over a decade. They have also been associated with training programmes for youth boards and defence personnel.

Some activities are possible only at select locations, because of geographical, technical and climatic reasons. Vagamon, Panchalimedu etc., are ideal for paragliding. A paragliding pilot-passenger duo did many sorties of ‘tandem flying’ at Panchalimedu, a couple of years ago. Parasailing - one of the simplest of aero sports, is possible at open spaceslike grounds.

Despite being blessed with favourable terrain and trained people who are willing to promote adventure activities, the ignorance of some officials and their negative approach are being cited as reasons for adventure-tourism not making big in the State. “Adventure tourism can boost Kerala’s tourism potential, like what happened in Himachal Pradesh and Goa. But somedepartments deny permission to host these activities. Adventure enthusiasts are becoming an ‘endangered species’, since locales ideal for adventure sports are being lost to constructions,” Wg Cdr Palat said.

As for water sports, many waterbodies in the State are ideal for banana boating, kayaking, zorbing (as seen in photo), speed boat cruises and power-sailing. Trekking can be done along the Western Ghats. Adventure enthusiasts say that the Government must carry out a field survey and constitute a nodal agency, so that adventure tourism picks up in Kerala.