Green Venice

With its numerous waterways, Kerala is a green Venice, but unlike Venice, where man has created most of the glory, in Kerala nature rules. The climate of Kerala, as across most of India, is tropical.

Kerala has a coastal belt with sandy beaches, palm-lined shores and serene backwaters. These seaside locations, make for pleasant holiday destinations, while the hill ranges of Kerala offer equally enticing hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries, tea estates and spice plantations.

The capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, is located on the coast in the extreme south of the mainland. During the British period and untill a few years ago, it was known as Trivandrum. Referred to by Mahatma Gandhi as the “Evergreen city of India”, the city is characterised by its undulating terrain of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys. It is the largest and most populous city in Kerala; the wider urban agglomeration having a population of about one million.

In Kerala you will experience freshness and the touch of mother earth everywhere you go.

HouseBoats and Treehouses

One of India’s pioneering ecotourism operators, Tourindia, was the first to see the immense possibilities in the idyllic backwaters of Kerala. To tap its richness for tourists without endangering its fragile ecosystem, they brought back from a bygone era, the Kettuvallam Riceboat - the cargo vessel of ancient Kerala - and re-designed it as the Houseboats for modern era. The first Kettuvallam Houseboat was launched in Alumkadavu, Central Kerala in 1991.

Kettuvallam literally means "bundle" or "package" boat (Kettu means tied with ropes, and vallam means boat - Malayalam language). A house boat is about 60 to 70 feet in length and has a width of around 15 feet in the middle. The boat is made of wooden planks joined and stiched together using coconut fibre ropes. Usually the wood used will be 'Anjili', The roof covering is made of bamboo poles and palm leaves. The outside of the boat is painted using cashew nut oil, which acts as a protective coating. During the time when road and rail transportation was expensive or unavailable, traders used Kettuvallam as a form of main transportation in the inland waterways. Most of the new generation Houseboats are powered by unobtrusive inboard diesel engines and use solar energy for power requirements.



Kerala’s Backwaters have a number of unique hotels. For example, at Kalladi in Wayanad you will find a unique Nature Resort with Treehouses, Rainforest Eco-lodges and also Cave-Houses. The tree house consists of eco-lodges and tree houses that are situated 60 feet above the ground. Guests who stay at the Green Magic Tree House Resort, Vythiri, can ascend to their eco-lodges or tree houses with the help of an innovative cane basket lift, balanced by a counterweight of water.

Treehouses are situated 60 feet above the ground. Most of the new generation Houseboats are powered by unobtrusive inboard diesel engines and use solar energy for power requirements.



Mostly non-polluting, renewable energy sources are used to maintain the pristine nature of the land. Energy sources are a unique combination of Solar energy, Gober gas from cow dung & kitchen waste and Hurricane lamps using kerosene. In addition,water is brought down from higher altitudes by high density pipes and used to generate electricity which is stored in batteries for limited use. 



The Nature Resort is designed with local ethnic materials and made by local craftsmen, using indigenous techniques as used by the early inhabitants. The tribal people are extensively involved with the construction and maintenance of the Nature Resort.

Protecting Nature - Periyar Tiger Trail

The ministry of environment has undertaken local community participation in forest management through ‘India-Eco-Development’ in Seven states. The unique project of Periyar Tiger Trail is being conducted by a team of poachers turned protectors of the forests. Since the advent of the India-Eco-Development project, these negative dependants on the forest have been changed to positive conservationist, as partners in the protection and management of habitats. The team members are hardy and dependable with an intimate knowledge of the forest terrain. Conservation efforts have double the effect when habitual offenders are themselves involved in the participatory tourism strategy. 



Conservation efforts have double the effect when habitual offenders are themselves involved in the participatory tourism strategy. 


A trekking programme has opened excellent opportunities for serious nature lovers, professional adventurers and trekkers to explore the largest & well-known Periyar Wildlife sanctuary encompassing more than 777 square kilometres with a diverse variety of forest and water bodies.

All travellers are required to take part in a “Visitors Participatory Conservative Programme” in order to offset their carbon emissions for this trip and support mother nature in greening the earth. This trip may not sound too comfortable, but the important thing is to appreciate the nature’s pristine beauty and constantly remind ourselves that mother nature is the true artist!

© EcoAsia 2009