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The Kerala state government has proposed and is progressing with plans to establish a tourism township in either Vagamon or Munnar, with facilitation from the UAE government. It remains uncertain whether the UAE government will directly participate or merely facilitate involvement by private companies.
The state government introduced the tourism township plan on November 9, 2023. Subsequently, on December 13, the tourism department communicated this with the revenue department. In a communication from the principal secretary (revenue) to the land revenue commissioner, the government instructed the land revenue commissioner to identify appropriate land in Vagamon or Munnar for the proposed tourism township.
A senior government official questioned the rationale of rejecting a significant investment proposal and emphasized the government’s interest in an environmentally sustainable project, particularly considering the ecological sensitivity of the shortlisted locations. Concerns have been raised about potential ecological damage in the environmentally sensitive areas of Idukki district. The Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports strongly advise against tourism and construction initiatives in the Western Ghats and neighbouring region.
The proposal was put forth during a meeting between the chief minister and the UAE ambassador. As the government has not yet disclosed this information to the public, the precise role of the UAE government remains uncertain.
If the UAE government is directly engaged, the ultimate decision rests with the Central government, as any sovereign government acquiring property in India must follow diplomatic channels. Alternatively, if the project is a private endeavour, it draws comparisons to the Kochi SmartCity, initially presented as a technology initiative by the then government but later developed into an integrated township by a UAE-based private company in Kakkanad. Undertaking such extensive real estate development for tourism in the proposed Magamon contradicts the suggestions of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel.
Referring to the Kasturirangan Report, the government recently established comprehensive guidelines to establish a Munnar Hill Area Authority. The objective is to promote sustainable development consistently, address encroachments, and safeguard the environmental distinctiveness of the Munnar region. In the case of Vagamon, essential land records, including basic tax records (RTR) and precise field measurements are unavailable. Concrete information on the positioning of government-owned land and reserved areas in the village of Vagamon is also not available.
The ambiguity surrounding the UAE government's role prompts scrutiny, emphasizing the need for transparent decision-making. The government's commitment to environmental preservation underscores the delicate balance required for tourism development in ecologically sensitive regions. Despite the immense economic potential, the proposed project's fate has to be based on thorough assessment and adherence to ecological guidelines.
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