Kaniyambetta Panchayat's new plan to make Kalanchira Check Dam a major tourist destination

The Kaniyambetta Gram Panchayat of Wayanad district has announced a plan to develop the Kalanchira Check Dam as a major tourist attraction. According to a report by The Hindu, facilities such as boating and kayaking will be introduced at this check dam. Additionally, there is a proposal to construct a walkway, seating arrangements, and a park for children to facilitate tourists.

This project is part of several proposed projects aimed at developing the panchayat as a major tourism destination in the hilly district. Under the initiative named 'Ever Shine Kaniyambetta-2030', the panchayat aims to develop its key locations over the next five years. V.P. Yusuf, President of Kaniyambetta Gram Panchayat, stated that the objective of this initiative is to integrate tourism, agriculture, heritage conservation, infrastructure development, and air connectivity.

The development plan includes the Mulaparambath canal area, which will be developed with a children's park, open gym, walking paths, benches for rest, gardens, shade-providing trees, and solar-powered lights to make it suitable for recreation and physical exercise. The public swimming pool at Panamkandi will be renovated and beautified to provide improved facilities for teaching swimming to children and youth. The panchayat also intends to generate local employment by establishing establishments such as cafeterias.

Other significant projects for the development of Kaniyambetta include a Happiness Park for children at Thaze Varadur, the Chittur Tribes Museum, a seed storage and processing centre at Ambalakannu, the Wayanad Coffee Project, and the proposed Chikkalur airstrip project. The children's Happiness Park at Thaze Varadur will be developed under the 'Destination Challenge' scheme, which will feature modern play equipment, a safe play area, an open-air stage, gardens, a walkway, drinking water, and toilet facilities.

The development of the Chittur Tribes Museum will be undertaken to preserve and showcase the tribal heritage and indigenous culture of the district. This museum aims to introduce visitors to tribal art forms and traditional musical instruments. A seed storage and processing centre will be developed at Ambalakannu for farmers, which will help them obtain quality seeds and saplings. This centre will focus on the scientific storage and conservation of traditional rice varieties.

In the agricultural sector, the Wayanad Coffee Project will attempt to increase the market value of regional coffee and improve farmers' income by promoting agri-tourism and exploring new market opportunities. Alongside this, there is a proposal to improve the Kavadam-Chikkalur approach road, including widening it, laying interlocking tiles, constructing footpaths, installing solar streetlights, and providing benches for rest. Trees and flowering plants will also be planted along this route to improve connectivity.