KFDC bid to enhance ecotousism experience for tourists

The Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) has initiated training for eco-guides to enhance the ecotourism experience for visitors. The program kicked off at Meeshapulimala, a popular KFDC-managed destination in Munnar. KFDC Managing Director Raju K. Francis highlighted that while the agency's destinations boast unique biodiversity, the guides often lacked the specific knowledge needed to provide quality interpretation to tourists.

To address this, KFDC has begun specialized training that will categorize guides into platinum, gold, and silver tiers based on their destination-specific knowledge. The certificate will reflect the depth of knowledge about a destination, with the program starting as a pilot in Meeshapulimala and potentially expanding to other ecotourism centers.

Botanist Jomy Augustine leads the training sessions, emphasizing the importance of educating tourists on the history and significance of rare species, such as the gopher tree (Nageia wallichiana) found at the Gavi center. The training aims to transform guided treks, allowing guides to actively explain the significance of local flora and fauna, ultimately providing tourists with a deeper understanding of conservation.

KFDC operates ecotourism centers across Munnar, Gavi, Arippa, Nelliampathy, Wagamon, and Wayanad, with recent revenue from ecotourism surpassing income from plantation crops.