Tourism is one of the areas most affected by the floods that hit Kerala last year. The news coverage of the disaster has also hurt the tourism sector harmfully.
Tourism is one of the areas most affected by the floods that hit Kerala last year. The news coverage of the disaster has also hurt the tourism sector. To overcome this, the Tourism Department launched a marketing campaign to tackle the downturn in tourism following the flood. As part of this, advertisements were made in elec- tronic media, newspapers, radio and films all over the country. And also organized a special campaign on social media during this period. The department also explained the situation by calling press conferences in and out of Kerala. As a result, the situation was quickly reversed. In addition, the floods wreaked havoc on infrastructure projects createdCO-OPERATIVE SECTOR IN FLOOD-RELIEF by the tourism department resulting in a loss of Rs.100 crore. Special attention has been paid to infrastructure projects, so as to bring the
whole tourism centers to the previous stage.
CO-OPERATIVE SECTOR IN FLOOD-RELIEF
The co-operative sector is at the forefront of relief and was propped up in the face of the natural disaster. CARE Kerala (Co-operative Alliance to Rebuild Kerala) has announced its plan to help the flood-affected. The CARE Home Project is accelerating through the State’s co-operative sector, providing a sum of Rs.5 lakh each to 2,000 families who have lost their homes in the floods. As of July 22, 2019, 1667 houses were handed over to beneficiaries. Plans are underway to provide 2000 flats in the first phase and then build another 2000 flats in the second phase. The co-operative sector has played an integral role in the construction of the New Kerala State by providing over Rs.500 crore through co-operative banks as RKLS interest-free loans under the Care Loan Scheme.
DEVASWOM
The flood created a high degree of havoc in Sabarimala and surrounding areas. Many buildings including the Annadana Mandapom and Rama Moorthy Mandapom of Pampa and two bridges were completely damaged. Pampa had shifted its course and the vast shores of Pampa completely disappeared. The reviving of Pampa was a herculean task. The shores of Pampa were connected and the Thriveni bridge that was under the sand was recovered on war foot basis. All the roads and conservative walls that were eroded was reconstructed. The damages in Pampa accounted to about Rs.200 crores. The revival of the completely wrecked Pampa in 60 days and the setting up of a parallel base camp in Nilackal was made possible through a series of incomparable efforts. The Rama Moorthy Mandapom which provided shelter to the pilgrims got carried away completely. There were about 390 toilets of these 329 toilets were re-installed prior to the pilgrimage season and bio-toilets were also installed. 228 taps were installed for drinking water distribution. Over 25 Reverse Osmosis Plants were installed and uninterrupted drinking water supply restored. 7 medicated water counters were also set up in the new base camp. Dining facilities that could accommodate 3500 pilgrims at a time was also set up. 470 permanent toilets, 450 bio-toilets and 50 bathrooms were installed, and container comparts for providing accommodation for police and other officials were also set up. Two incinerators were equipped for burning solid wastes and temporary stands were set up for KSRTC buses. Individuals were given the duty to ensure the
cleanliness and usability of the toilets. Plumbing was completely reinstalled including new pipelines. 404 taps were installed in 101 kiosks for drinking water supply. The wrecked electricity lines and posts were already re-laid.
CARE HOME SCHEME
Care Home Scheme is an initiative undertook by the Government of Kerala to provide newly constructed houses to those who have lost their shelter in the deluge. This project is considered to be one of the prestigious housing schemes of the State Co-operative Department. The scheme comprises of three major components which are Care Home, Care Plan and Care Grace. The project is to be carried out through co-operative institutions which are approved by the State Level Executive Committee. The department aims at upraising the living standards of the people and to finish the construction work of 2000 houses in the state. The scheme has readied 181 houses so far and another 217 are on the final stage of construction. Care Homes are designed to outlive natural disasters and ensure stable and secure habitats.
