Ethnic village model En Uru' to boost Wayanad Tourism

KALPETTA: Wayanad tourism will soon get a boost with the opening of the 'En Uru' (My Village) project at the scenic hillocks of Lakkidy. It will showcase the tribal art forms, culture and handicrafts and help the tourists to taste the ethnic life in the village. Designed in tune with Dilli Haat, the crafts village under Delhi Tourism, major tribal communities, including Paniya, Kurichya, Adiya, Kuruma and Kattunaikka will get a space in the project. It is coming up over 25 acres of land near Pookkode Lake, the prime tourist attraction at the entrance of Wayanad district.

The project was conceptualised by Mr N. Prasanth, former sub-collector of Wayanad (now private secretary to union minister for state for tourism Alphons Kannanthanam) in 2010. But it failed to take off due to the lack of proper land. 

Sub-collector N.S.K. Umesh, who is the ex-officio chairman of the En Uru Charitable Society constituted for the purpose, told DC that though Mr Prasanth had planned project in a big way, it was delayed. 

"Even now we are working on it. I hope within a few months we would be able to showcase something significant to begin with," he added. 

The state government had allotted Rs 3 crore for the first phase of the project. Thirteen clan chieftains of Pozhuthana and Vythiri panchayats are members of the society.

Project architect C.P. Shylesh said that the civil works of the first phase were almost complete. "The interpretation centre, facilitation point, market which is the focus of the project, vehicle dropping point, restaurant, warehouse and restrooms are at the finishing stage," he said. The products from tribal communities, including tribal medicines, dress materials, handicrafts and spices would be marketed under the 'En Uru' brand. 

A tribal theme park also would come up in the village. The government has also sanctioned Rs 4.5 crore for the second phase of the project.