Tourism zones turn eyesores

KOCHI: Kochi is very much blessed with nature’s bounty and it attracts people from across the globe despite factors which act as a blot on tourism. The government and private sector have done commendable work in promoting tourism in the area. Still there are certain gaping loopholes which need to be urgently looked at by the government which will help Fort Kochi, Mattanchery and other areas to join the league of clean tourists spots.The citizens have a great responsibility in making the tourism zones neat and tidy. But most domestic tourists discard wrappers of eatables empty mineral water bottles in the backwaters, sea and other areas. According to the local traders those from abroad are very particular about not littering the zones. It is very difficult to convince the locals about disposing the waste in trash bins. “The waste thrown carelessly by the tourists adds to our work as it is the local traders who clean the area once a week,” said ice cream seller Reji.“It is a fact that there are only a few trash bins in the area. But still the tourists can utilise them. Also there are no signage urging people to keep the place clean,” said another local trader. An official of the Tourism Police station said that the tourism police have been asked to politely tell the people to dump the waste only in the trash bins. The official said that the places become dirty during summer season when a large number of domestic tourists visit the place. But there is little response from the tourists. According to the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry sources, efforts are on to make Fort Kochi a plastic-free zone. The district administration is expected to take up the matter soon. The source said that the chamber will soon take up the matter with the authorities.Interestingly, the Corporation has no plans to clean the waste littered into the sea. The sight of empty bottles, wrappers and other garbage floating in the sea destroys the view. When contacted, a Corporation official said that the cleaning of the region was the sole duty of the Corporation. But the Corporation has not taken any effort to clean the area.The mineral water bottles are piled up at different points in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. As no efforts are made to clean them, their number just keeps on mounting.