Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust (GOMBRT) Launches Marine Ecotourism

Monday, April 25, 2022

Tourists taking the scenic East Coast Road will henceforth need to stop at Tharuvaikulam, with the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust (GOMBRT) having started marine ecotourism in the coastal settlement. Tourists can venture into the sea in a fiberglass boat for viewing the underwater world around the beautiful corals and relish fresh yummy seafood.

Tharuvaikulam, which is witnessing rapid growth due to the launch of Fish Landing Center for benefitting 250-odd mechanized boats, is attracting a large number of public and fish traders from various parts of Tamil Nadu. Since the sea remains calm during most part of the year in this region, the GOMBRT has introduced this initiative – Tharuvaikulam Community-based Eco Tourism Project for luring tourists to this coastal village.

After formally registering the scheme – ‘Tharuvaikulam Eco Tourism’, GOMBRT and the local community have come together to implement this marine eco-tourism project, costing Rs. 30 lakh along with equipment for snorkeling and scuba diving.

With the project’s trial run, Tharuvaikulam parish priest Rev. Fr. Vincent along with locals, traveled in the boat for about 2 kms. With transparent bottom boats, tourists can witness marine organisms quite closely.

To quote Mr. Bakan Jagdish Sudhakar, Director, GOMBRT, “Since the sea will be clam between 7 a.m. and 10.30 a.m., we can go up to 2 km., where these marine organisms are abundantly available for about 3 hectare area. If the sea is rough, then the tourists with life jackets will be taken up to 1 km for a lesser fare and the operation of boats will go on up to 4 p.m. The boat will have a driver, a certified lifeguard and a lascar.”

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