Indranchira offers eco-friendly treat

Kochi: The eco-friendly Indranchira lakeside park near Kolencherry in Ernakulam district which has been opened in July is becoming a popular tourist spot. Hundreds of visitors started visiting the lakeside park to enjoy water rides and the cool, tranquil ambiance.

The District Tourism Promotion Council has taken over the lake from Aikkaranadu panchayat in 2012 and started its beautification and development at a cost of '1 crore. The works were completed this year. Piravom based Agropark, an established agri and food processing business incubation centre, has been selected through tender for operating the park, spread across 12 acres, for a period of five years.

‘We have introduced small bowl boats (kutta vanchi), water cycle and kayaking, water-rope ride, fishing and other rides. We have avoided motor boats and pedal boats to avoid pollution since Indranchira is a freshwater lake. The park is functioning strictly in compliance with green protocol. No plastic products are used and food and drinks are being served in glass or steel utensils. The four workers employed in the park have been asked to adhere with zero waste generation policy,” said Baiju Nedumkery, chairman of Agropark.

The entry fee to the park is Rs 10 and families can enjoy the bowl boat by paying Rs 300 for a 40-minute ride. The riders will be accompanied by trained personnel.

To attract more visitors during Onam festival days, Tourism department, panchayat authorities and Kudumbasree Mission are jointly organising a food and trade expo at the park from August 22 to 31.