• Dr. Thomson K Alex

Tor every economy tourism plays a very significant role in its contribution to nations GDP. In India the contribution of Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) in 2018 was Rs. 194882 Crore. The largest revenue from tourism is for the state Tamil Nadu. In Kerala Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) in 2018 was Rs. 8764.46 Crore. The revenue of Kerala from tourism is Rs 36258.01 crores, that increased by 8.61% from 2017. The great tourist attraction in Kerala are the canals, hills, vallies and plains. Kuttanad is a place with unique features. It lies below the sea level. For the same reason throughout the year the place is always flooded with water. The modern techniques adopted in this area help the farmers to reap a good crop especially paddy and coconut. Kuttanad is a great tourist centre in Kerala. Tourist can enjoy the peculiar scenery and beauty of the place. The place attracts the tourist especially for boating in the lakes. Paddy cultivation gives different types of scenery at its different stages of growth. The food items in this region is another attraction to the tourist. The place is famous for duck rearing. Varieties of fishes are available in this area along with eggs of dugs and its meat. There is also availability of fresh coconut toddy in this region. Private individuals also provide house boats to tourist on rent. All such factors promote tourism in this region. Earnings from tourism makes a livelihood for the people of the area. Government provides more facilities to the tourists so that they can have safe tourism. There is much risk and uncertainty concerned with private houseboats. There must be a good and efficient machinery in coordinating the services provided by the private agencies and also the government agencies. Similarly the government must control the hospitals and restaurants so that tourist are not exploited by the private agencies.

Tourism, Foreign Tourist, Domestic Tourist, Eco- Friendly, Ecology, Kettuvallem, Backwaters, Duck rearing, Pollution, paddy cultivation

"Eco- Friendly Tourism in Kuttanad: Scope and Opportunities", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 4, page no.676-686, April-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1904T89.pdf

"Eco- Friendly Tourism in Kuttanad: Scope and Opportunities", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 4, page no. pp676-686, April-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1904T89.pdf