Adavi Eco tourism centre | Photo: Muralikrishnan B/ Mathrubhumi
Konni: Kerala will ensure insurance scheme for tourists who visit eco-tourism spots in the state. The Forest department has 60 eco-tourist sites across the entire state under its ambit. It is the first time that the department is planning insurance for visitors, who are Indian citizens and the new amendment will come into force from January.
The Forest department will initiate the scheme in collaboration with the United India Insurance Company. The insurance scheme will guarantee protection if the visitors meet with an accident. Financial aid of Rs 5 lakhs will be provided if the person dies in an accident and Rs 2.5 lakhs for tourist who encountered any physical deformities. The Forest department has already paid Rs 1.75 lakhs as premium for one year. The insurance company assured to allot up to Rs 2.5 crores of insurance amount for a year.
The tourists cannot claim insurance for objects that goes missing from the site. The insurance scheme has been planned inorder to transform Kerala into a tourism-friendly state and is the first state to kickstart such a programme.
The major eco-tourist sites of the Forest department are Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkadi, Thattekkad, Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar, Neyyar, Ponmudi, Palaruvi, Thommankuthu Waterfalls, Silent Valley, Parambikulam, Kakkayam, Soochipara, Thenmala, Konni, Anathavalam and Adavi.
The proposal to provide insurance coverage for tourists was discussed years back when the Thattekad boat accident happened. But it could be enacted only from this year.
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