
Pre-events of Malabar River Festival to be held in 9 local bodies
A meeting headed by district collector Snehil Kumar Singh on Friday (June 6, 2025) decided to hold events such as rain walk, swimming, mud football, farm tours, kabaddi, shuttle badminton and volleyball in the eight upland grama panchayats as well as Mukkam municipality in the days prior to the main event to promote it. The pre-events will be concluded by July 20.
The meeting also decided to hold local Kayaking competitions to promote local participation. Several local youngsters are being trained in the event at the Interntional Kayaking Academy and other similar training centres in the region.
Meanwhile the selection trials for the national kayaking team will be held on July 24. Kayakers from most states in the country will arrive at Kodenchery for the purpose.
The Malabar River Festival organised by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society and the District Tourism Promotion Council with the support of the Department of Tourism and the local bodies as well as the technical support of the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association, will be held in the rivers Iruvazhinji and Chalipuzha in upland Kozhikode from July 24 to 27.
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The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Upland Kozhikode abuzz with pre-events of Malabar River Festival
With just a week remaining for the 11th edition of the Malabar River Festival commencing at Kodenchery and Thiruvambady, the upland villages of Kozhikode district are abuzz with pre-event activities and preparations for the event. The hilly hamlet of Kodenchery often wakes up to watch kayakers, both amateur and professional kayakers, rowing downstream the Chalippuzha, practising for the International Kayaking Competition to be held as part of the festival from July 24 to 27. River rafting is also being held in full swing here. While international kayakers are expected to arrive within a few days, several national-level kayakers, including national champion Amit Thapa, have already arrived at Kodenchery for practice sessions and training budding kayakers. The Malabar River Festival begins at Meenthullippara in Chakkittapara panchayat on July 24 where freestyle demonstrations will be held. However, the inauguration will be held at Pulikkayam at Kodencheri on July 25, where extreme slalom competitions in all categories are to be held. The downriver race and super finals will be held at Pulloorampara on July 27. The pre-events spread across several upland villages in the district have succeeded in creating enthusiasm in the high range. There are events such as ankling, rain walk, farm tour, painting, mud football, off-road fun drive, badminton tournament, tug-of-war, tourism seminar, cycling and bullock race in Kodiyathur, Thiruvambady, Kodencheri, Koodaranhi, Puthuppadi and Perumanna grama panchayats besides Mukkam Municipality that receive good patronage from the local community. The Malabar River Festival is jointly organised by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) and the Kozhikode District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) with the technical support of the Indian Kayaking & Canoeing Association (IKCA).

The Hindu
9 hours ago
- The Hindu
MUV safari will resume in Idukki from July 16
The Multi-utility vehicle (MUV) safari and on- and off-road trekking will be resumed in Idukki from Wednesday (July 16, 2025) onwards. District Collector V. Vigneshwari issued a detailed order on Monday (July 14, 2025) outlining strict conditions for the reopening of MUV safari and off-road safari in the nine routes in the first phase in the Idukki and Devikulam subdivisions in the district. The nine approved off-road MUV safari routes include the Parunthumpara-Satram route, Kuttikkanam-Madammakulam, Pambanar-Mlamala-Uppupara belt, Elappara-Kappakkanam-Uluppuni-Chakkimali-Vellarankallu stretch, Vagamon (Elappara)-Ottamaram Para Viewpoint, Vagamon-Kallattupara waterfalls trail in the Idukki subdivision, and the Munnar-Ponmudi-Nadukani-Munnar loop, Suryanelli-Kolukkumalai Sunrise route, and Mankulam-Perumbankuttu-Anakulam-6th Mile Hanging Bridge-33 Waterfall-Viripara areas in the Devikulam subdivision. According to the Collector, new order issued by the district administration mandates compliance with the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS)-issued safety regulations. Verification drive 'A multi-department regularisation drive will begin on Tuesday (July 15), ensuring that only registered and verified operators can resume service. During the drive, the officials will inspect the vehicle's fitness, driver records, insurance, police clearance, GPS installation, and route mapping,' said the order. 'The MUV safari routes will be reviewed by a route monitoring committee comprising Sub-Collector, RTO, concerned Station House Officer (SHO), panchayat secretary, and District Tourism Promotion Council Secretary (DTPC). The committee will inspect the terrain and classify the routes. Only drivers approved by the committee will be allowed to operate and on the prescribed routes,' said the order. 'The timing of the activities between 4 a.m. and 6 p.m. from and to the starting point of the trip will depend on the prevailing weather conditions, as decided by the committee. Every trip shall include tourist insurance, and a portion of ticket revenue shall go to a driver welfare fund for medical/accident coverage. Mandatory audits will be held twice yearly in April and October, chaired by the Sub-collector or as proposed by the route committee. Those who violate the committee's decisions will invite strict penalties, including license suspension and disqualification. There will be legal action in case of accidents due to negligence,' said the order. The Collector imposed a ban on multi-utility vehicle (MUV) safaris in Idukki under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, on July 5, after an MUV safari vehicle met with an accident in Munnar on July 1 in which onea tourist was killed and 10 injured.


New Indian Express
4 days ago
- New Indian Express
Cheengeri Hills is Wayanad's eco-friendly trekking haven
KALPETTA: Wayanad Tourism Department's well-timed strategy to promote Cheengeri Hills as an alternative to manage the growing tourist rush to the ecologically sensitive Chembra Peak is earning widespread praise. One of the district's most popular attractions and a favourite among foreign tourists, permits for trekking to Chembra is restricted to fewer than 100 visitors a day due to its fragile ecosystem. The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) has proposed Cheengeri Hills -- a lesser-known but equally scenic peak -- as an alternative to address the mounting demand. Situated en-route to Kaduvakuzhi from Sultan Bathery, Cheengeri is known for its gentle slopes and ease of climbing, unlike the forest-clad hills that surround it. The peak is especially famed for its breathtaking views at dawn. While a trek to Chembra costs over Rs 1,000 per person, a trip to Cheengirimala is priced at just Rs 50, making it a budget-friendly and accessible option for travellers. Local trip planners and tour operators in Wayanad have begun recommending Cheengeri Hills to tourists seeking a less crowded, eco-conscious, and economical trekking experience. Over the past few months, the hills have emerged as one of the most popular trekking destinations in the district. 'Cheengeri Hills have been open to visitors for the past few years. However, after assessing the difficulties faced by tourists at other trekking spots including Chembra peak, we decided to actively promote this location,' said Binosh Kunjappan, secretary of the Wayanad DTPC. 'Unlike other forested peaks, Cheengerimala is safe, scenic, and family-friendly, attracting steady footfall throughout the year. On peak days during the season, an average of 300 people trek the hill – a significant number for a new destination.