Beat the heat, drive away to Wagamon

THODUPZHA: Wagamon, also known as the Scotland of Asia, is turning out to be a prominent tourism spot in Idukki. The spot has become busy with the arrival of summer as a large number of domestic tourists have started flocking to the place.In the last two years, foreign tourists are getting attracted to this place.Farm tourism, introduced by the DTPC this year, has been luring more foreigners, Joykutty George, secretary, DTPC, Idukki, says.This summer, there is encouraging booking for its trips from Munnar and Thekkady.There are three types of sightseeing trips arranged from Munnar which include village tour, local sightseeing tour and Marayur- Chinnar tour, he says.Village trip which takes the tourists to agriculture farms in Rajakkad and various plantations received encouraging response during the launch this year.Situated at a height of 1,100 metres above sea level with a maximum temperature of 25 degree, Wagamon attracts tourists for its green meadows, pine forests, tea estates, Thangalpara, Murugan temple, Kurisumala and para-gliding.The DTPC has got 45-acres of forest land for developing infrastructure facility to promote adventure tourism.The government has sanctioned `98 lakh for taking up work in connection with this, he said.The facilities to come up at Wagamon include a comfort station, restaurants, rain shelter among others.The DTPC, which was handicapped to put up a sign board to warn people against straying away, will be able to erect signage after acquiring land, he says.Shortage of accommodation facilities at Wagamon was another shortcoming.More tourists would prefer visiting Wagamon if the roads are good, Joykutty says.Ernakulam-Thodupuzha- Pullikanam-Wagamon road is good but it is not wide enough to attract tourists.The DTPC has suggested the widening of roads and the PWD is in the process of making a feasibility study, he said.There are other roads from Pala, Elappara and Kattapana to Wagamon which need to be repaired.