LANDSCAPE PLANNING FOR TOURISM IN NATURAL AREAS

– CASE OF COURTALLAM

LEKSHMI SHUNNMA M 2017802011

ABSTRACT

Tourism has been involved with enjoying the nature and its beauty from time
immemorial. Seeking nature for the physical and mental well-being has been
essential since the advent of urban living. Thus, in turn, has led to the development
of nature-based tourism. Nature has played the key role in the development of the
tourism industry which one of the largest industry in the world in attracting tourists.
Experiencing new places has become an adventure and dream for many. In order to
pursue his needs men started finding new destinations to feed his desire. The
destination gets the tourist status with a huge number of tourists visiting. The
tourism brings in various other facilities that are demanded by the act of tourism
which is both positive and negative effects. The great effort of managing the
naturalness of those destinations lie in the proper planning of the tourist
destinations and attractions. It is important to understand the concept and
functional aspects of tourism for the better planning of those places.
Courtallam is a town in the southern part of Tamilnadu which is known for its scenic
beauty and waterfalls, is a well-established tourist destination. People from all parts
of the state visit here to take bath in the waterfalls and enjoy the scenic beauty of
the place during the season time.
The study comprises of two parts. The first part will look into the various aspects of
tourism, tourism planning and various methodologies adopted in planning with the
help of few case studies which falls under the nature-based tourism category and
the second part will attempt to apply the studies to the preferred location. (i.e)
Courtallam.
Research Question

What are the design Considerations for Tourism development in a 
naturally beautiful places.?
What  are the methodologies to be adopted for design?
What are those that can be used for tourism development in the 
selected area- Courtallam?
LITERATURE REVIEW
LITERATURE REVIEW
INFERENCE

 Abides by the National Tourism Plan.

Involvement of a variety of Professionals.
Improves the imageability.
Improves the accessibility.
Addresses the user requirements.
Minimal Interference to the Natural landscapes.
Effective use of the natural features in the context.
INFERENCE

Improves the imageability.

Improves the accessibility.
Safety and security is taken care.
Addresses the user requirements.
Minimal Interference to the Natural landscapes.
Effective use of the natural features in the context.
Involvement of the local Community.
INFERENCE

Involvement of a variety of Professionals.

Improves the imageability.
Improves accessibility.
Addresses the user requirements.
Visitor safety and security is considered.
Minimal Interference to the Natural landscapes.
Effective use of the natural features in the context.
Uses Landscape elements such as Open spaces, Pedestrian path,
Street and circulation and Street & Furniture
INFERENCE

 Abides by the National Tourism Plan.

Involvement of a variety of Professionals.
Improves the imageability.
Improves the accessibility.
Minimal Interference to the Natural landscapes.
Effective use of the natural features in the context.
Involvement of the Local Community.
Incorporation of Local architectural style.
INFERENCE

 Abides by the National Tourism Plan.

Involvement of a variety of Professionals.
Improves the imageability.
Improves the accessibility.
Improved Open space and recreation system.
Reduces the impact of Tourism on Natural landscapes.
Minimal Interference to the Natural landscapes.
Effective use of the natural features in the context.
Involvement of the Local Community.
Regulations to control the further impacts and development.
INFERENCE

 Abides by the National Tourism Plan.

Involvement of a variety of Professionals.
Improves the imageability.
Improves the accessibility.
Improved Open space and recreation system.
Reduces the impact of Tourism on Natural landscapes.
Minimal Interference to the Natural landscapes.
Effective use of the natural features in the context.
Involvement of the Local Community.
INFERENCE

 Abides by the National and Regional Tourism Plan.

Involvement of a variety of Professionals.
Improves the imageability.
Improves the accessibility.
Improved Open space and recreation system.
Reduces the impact of Tourism on Natural landscapes.
Minimal Interference to the Natural landscapes.
Effective use of the natural features in the context.
Involvement of the Local Community.
Zonation of the areas.
Development regulations for the tourism.
INFERENCE

 Abides by the National and Regional Tourism Plan.

Involvement of a variety of Professionals.
Improves the imageability.
Improves the accessibility.
Improved Open space and recreation system.
Reduces the impact of Tourism on Natural landscapes.
Distribution of Tourist activities.
Minimal Interference to the Natural landscapes.
Effective use of the natural features in the context.
Involvement of the Local Community.
Zonation of the areas.
Development regulations for the tourism.
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN 9
Client Department of
Tourism, Kerala
Design Team GITPAC International
Location Rural district in
Northern Kerala
Area 2132 sq.km
Tourism type Nature Based

Aim:
Conservation of natural resources
and effective tourism management.
Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN 9
Objectives:

To prepare a tourism development plan for Wayanad which will benefit the local
community and the environment.
The specific components of the objective are:
•Identifying and enlisting the tourism resources of the entire Wayanad District.
•Accessing the critical problems and issues related to conservation, the
management and infrastructural development for tourism.
•Suggesting measures to manage tourism activities in each of the tourist
destinations in the District in micro and macro perspectives.
•Develop thematic tourism circuits linking potential tourist centers and products
of Wayanad.
•Identifying high quality tourism infrastructure projects at the identified hubs,
tourist centers and the circuit areas with least impact on environment.
•Stipulating measures to conserve and preserve ecologically sensitive areas in
the region.
•Suggesting measures to ensure socio-economic development of local
community from tourism.

Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN 9
Approach

Focus Sustainable Tourism Management and

Conservation of Natural Conversion of quantity for
Products quality tourism for assured
ASSESS

economic benefits
SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

MACRO LEVEL DESTINATION LEVEL

NATURAL, CULTURAL IDENTIFICATION OF
Tourist

AND SOCIAL PRODUCTS TOURISM POTENTIALS

MACRO LEVEL MICRO LEVEL

ISSUES
INFLOW, GROWTH, COMPOSITION, DURATION, PROFILE
Infrastructure

AND SOURCE

SWOT ANALYSIS
STRATEGIES & PROPOSALS
Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN 9
•Conceptualisation of the project & framing objectives

Literature •Finalisation of primary survey , Requirements, Preparation of formats

and interview questionnaires

•Data collection, One to one discussions, Focus group discussions,

Workshops, Data entry and Base map preparation

•Analysis of Data to access the present status of tourism in terms of

environment and tourism infrastructure
METHODOLY

Identify, problems, issues and potentials

•Identify,

•Formulation of development concepts & strategies

•Finalization of Micro & Macro Circuits, Attractions, Products and

Experience, Finalizing development projects, policies, and development
regulations

•Detailing projects

•Comprehensive Project Report detailing project profiles, resource

mobilization and management
Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Study 9
TOURISM IN WAYANAD
Not one or two places, but a number of places create a unique
character for the district.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Natural Wildlife Culture & Water bodies Manmade
Heritage
Chembra Peak Wayanad Jain Temple, Pookode Lake Chain Tree
Sunrise Vally Wildlife Munniarya Soochipara Banasura Dam
Sanctuary Thirunelly Waterfalls
Phanton Rocks Karapuzha
Tholpetty Temple Meenmutty Dam
Edakal Caves Wildlife Sita Devi Temple Waterfalls Wayanad
Kuruva Island Sanctuary
Valliyoorkavu Chethalayam Heritage
Pakshipatahlam Temple Waterfalls Museum
Vellarimala Kalleswary Kanthanpara Pazhassi Tomb
(New) Temple Falls Pazhassi Park
Lakkadi View Ruined Jain
Point Temple
Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Study 9
Tourists Spending Pattern - Depends on the type of tourists visiting
(Domestic or International)

Duration of Stay - International (2 days)

Domestic ( 1 day)

Tourists Products and Attractions:

•Farm tourism
•Community tourism
•Tourism packages

Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Study 9

Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
 WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Study 9
Thematic Categorisation of Destinations:
The tourist attractions of Wayanad can be classified as follows; Natural,
Wildlife, Cultural and Heritages and Manmade. A classification had been done
based on the two major themes of Nature and History. It has been further
divided into four sub categories viz.Natural, Wildlife, Cultural and Waterbodies.
Natural (that Wildlife( that Cultural & Leisure/ Water
come under the come under the Heritage(Historic al Bodies( that
Forest Region) Forest Region) Importance) come under the
Forest Region)
• Chembra Peak •Muthanga Wildlife •Jain Temple at •Pookode Lake
• Sunrise Valley Sanctuary Sulthan Bathery. • Soochippara
• Phanton Rocks • Tholpetty Wildlife Thirunelly Temple Waterfalls
• Kuruva Island
Sanctuary • Sita Devi Temple •Meenmutty Falls
• Pakshinpathalam
• Lakkadi View Pakshipathalam • Valliyoor Kavu • Santial Rock
Point Temple Falls
• Elampilery Estate • Kaleeswary Temple •Kanthapara Falls
• Kolagappara Ruined Jain Temples • Banasura Dam
• Neelimala at Panamaram • Karapuzha Dam
•Chain Tree
Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
•Wayanad Heritage
Museum
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Study 9
1. Ladikki View point
2. Chain tree
Destination Analysis : a Micro Perspective

3. Pookode lake
4. Soochippara Waterfalls
5. Meenmutty Waterfalls
6. Chembra Peak •Location
7. Banasura Dam •Surrounding
8. Kanthanpara Waterfalls
9. Kuruva Island Environment, Attraction
10. Sunrise Valley and Features
11. Pakshipathalam •Issues & Oppourtunities
12. Karappuzha Dam
13. Thirunelly Temple •Limiting factors to be
14. Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary considered while
15. Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary developing the
16. Edakkal Caves
17. Elampillery Estate destination
18. Mavilanthodu
19. Pazhassi Tomb and Park
20. Wayanad Heritage Museum
21. Valliyoor Kavu Temple
22. Seetha Lava Kusha Temple
23. The Glass Temple at Koottamunda
24. Karalad Chira
25. Phantom Rock
26. Neelimala Viewpoint
27. Jain Temples of Wayanad
Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
 WAYANAD MASTER PLAN – Pookode Lake 9
Location Vythiri Panchayath

Attraction Freshwater lake

Surroundings Coffee plantation and

areca nut
Wildlife Malabar giant Squirrel,
Samba Deer, Monkeys,
Mongoose, Wild Boar
,Snakes etc.
Issues •No adequate parking
•No proper signages
•Overcrowding
Limiting factors •Sustainability of flora and fauna in
the lake as well as the surrounding
•Sustainability of visual image of the
green cover in the surrounding hills.
•Water area of the lake.
•Effective area for boating.
•Limited number of boat jetties.
•Sustenance of water quality.
•Sustenance of water source.
•Water holding capacity of the lake
•Spread of aquatic plants.
Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
•Effective tourist managemant
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Analysis 9
SWOT analysis of Wayanad

STRENGTH WEAKNESS
•Naturally gifted with rich forest cover. •Transport facilities are not managed properly.
•Favorable climate for year long tourism activity. •Lack of infrastructural facilities. Popular tourists
•Many tourist attraction sites and historic places. sites are overcrowded.
•The tourist destinations are dispersed properly in •Inaccessibility of certain places in peak monsoon
balance with the road circuits. season.
•Suitable terrain for adventure tourism. •Tourism Marketing is inadequate. Insufficient
•Very attractive and well known hill stations. Information channels.
•Hospitable people. •Skilled tourist guides are lacking.
•Improper maintenance of connected road circuits to
the destinations.
•Domestic tourists overcrowding causes the reduction
of quality tourists.
•Legal hurdles are many.
•Sustainable architecture is lacking.

OPPORTUNITY THREAT
•Holidaying is gaining popularity all over the world. •Many neighbouring places such as Ooty, Kodaicanal,
• Eco tourism and agro-tourism is gaining more Munnar etc. are providing high competition.
importance. •Due to the part of Western Ghat it has a fragile
•Option for alternate livelihood for the employees. ecosystem.
•Ample scope for Adventure Sports and Trekking.
•Already exploited area as tourism location.

Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Analysis 9

Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Analysis 9

Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Analysis 9
S.NO Conservation Value
High Medium Low
1 Chembra Pookod Lake Sunrise Valley
2 Kuruva Soochippara Waterfalls Lakkidi View Point
3 Muthanga WLS Banasura Dam 3 Karappuzha Dam
4 Tholpetty WLS Kanthanpara Waterfalls Kolagappara
5 Meenmutty Waterfalls KarladLake
6 Thirunelly Temple Edakkal Caves
7 Pakshipathalam Wayanad Heritage
Museum
8 Ruined Jain Temple
9 Pazhassi Tomb
10 Valliyoorkavu Temple
11 Varambetta Mosque
Reference:
12 http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/ Pallikkunnu church
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Analysis 9
CARRYING CAPACITY CALCULATIONS

•Carrying capacity is
defined as the number
of individuals who can
be supported by a
particular locality,
without degrading the
natural, social, cultural
and economic
environment for present
and future generations.
•Follows the standards
set by WTO.

Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Proposals 9

Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Proposals 9
PROPOSALS
1. Integrated Development of District Level Tourism Infrastructure Hub
at Karappuzha Dam
2. Development of Pookode Lake and Surroundings
3. Development of Basic Amenities in the Trekking area - Chembra Peak
4. Reorganizing Sunrise Valley View Point
Location Map
5. Development of Soochippara Waterfall and Surroundings Justification
6. Tourist Facilitation of Meenmutti Waterfall
7. Tourism Development of Kanthanpara Waterfalls Components of the project
8. Integrated Tourism Development of Banasura Sagar Dam •Entry & exit zone
9. Tourism Facilitation of Kuruva Island •Amenity Zone
10. Tourism Development of Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary
11. Tourism Development of Tholpetty Wild Life Sanctuary •Resort zone
12. Tourism Development of Thirunelli Temple •Convention zone
13. Tourism Facilitation of Pakshipathalam •Cultural and Heritage Zone
14. Tourism Development of Elampillery Estate
15. Tourism Development of Mavilanthodu Area
Leisure and Recreation Zone
16. Tourism Facilitation in and around Pazhassi Tomb •Adventure Tourism Zone
17. Tourism Amenety Creation in Edakkal Tourism Facilitation in Wayanad •Water front area and Green zone
Heritage Museum development
18. Tourism Development of Phantom Rock
19. Lakkidi View Point
•Central Monitoring Complex
20. Tourism Development of Chain Tree and Surroundings Cost
21. Tourism Development of Jain Temples of Wayanad
22. Development of Satellite Tourism Infrastructure Hubs in the District. Implementation phases if
23. Beautification of Towns and Urban Nodes in Wayanad District.
24. Protection Package for Heritage Buildings in Wayanad District
required (based on the scale)
25. Development of Village Circuits or Farm Tourism
26. Integrated Signage‘s to Tourism in Wayanad
27. Development of Trecking Site at Aranmala
28. Development of Camping Sites
29. Development of Rafting in Kabani River Near Manathavadi

Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Proposals 9
Development of Pookode Lake and Surroundings

Reference: http://gitpac.com/ourprojects/179/
WAYANAD MASTER PLAN - Proposals 9
Issues Proposals
Highly overcrowded Pathway and road side development from the main road to the lake with sufficient
landscapes and lighting.

Highly unorganised Parking area development near the entry point from NH

Congestion Construction of a facilitation complex near to the parking area.

Visitors in peak day is high as 6000 Development and beautification (Hardscape)of the road surrounding the lake and paving
the road with granite blocks

No adequate parking Cleaning the water edges

Siltation Constructing a modern boat jetty

Environmental degradation Construction of comfort station

Deteriorated Children’s park Children‘s park renovation

Poor Boat jetty Planning and implementing Water and soil

Improper roads Planning and implementation of afforestation in the surrounding area

Deforestation in the surrounding Silt removal of the lake

areas
Erection of Temporary Rain Shelters near the water body

Viewing platform and sitting avenues around the lake at selected points.

Solid waste management

Provision for drinking water

INFERENCE

 Abides by the National and Regional Tourism Plan.

Involvement of a variety of Professionals.
Improves the Imageability.
Improves the accessibility.
Improved Open space and recreation system.
Conservation of Natural resources.
Reduces the impact of Tourism on Natural landscapes.
Distribution of Tourist activities.
Minimal Interference to the Natural landscapes.
Effective use of the natural features in the context.
Involvement of the Local Community.
Issue based Design proposals.
Development regulations for the tourism.
WATERFALLS IN COURTALLAM REGION
Source : Equations;Tourism in Forest Areas of Western Ghats,January 2011
STUDY AREA
 ISSUES OPPOURTUNITIES
ISSUES AND OPPOURTUNITIES

Air pollution Benefits to Community

Noise Pollution Conservation of Environment
Water pollution at the waterfalls Preservation of Local Culture
Congestion Increased prices of Land
Inadequate parking Increased tourist arrivals
Exploitation of Natural resources
Inadequate water supply
Littering Problem of Debris
Cultural differences
Unsatisfactory
Unsatisfactory food
Unsound practices in solid waste and
sewage disposal
Inadequate accommodations
Tourism demand unstable
Visual Pollution
Lack of maintenance of tourist
attractions

Source : Felicia.J, 2011

GUIDELINES

•Should follow the National tourism Policy and complete with that.
•Should consider the existing and proposed Tourism circuits.
•Involve all stakeholders and professionals.
•The proposals should be contextual and address the strength and
weakness of the area.
•Should have minimum impact to the natural impact yet improve the
visitor experience.
•Visitor safety and security should be prior.
•Should benefit the local community.
Thank you