The Kerala Tourism Department's ambitious heli-tourism initiative has sparked both excitement and concern. The project, which seeks to provide quicker access to Kerala's tourist destinations, is expected to attract travellers by offering helicopter rides to picturesque locations.
However, as the plan gains traction, significant hurdles, especially environmental concerns, loom large.
E.M. Najeeb, president of the Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry, praised the government’s decision, calling it a landmark moment for the sector. “This initiative could propel Kerala’s tourism to new heights. Besides catering to tourists, it offers potential for domestic applications like weddings and conferences,” Najeeb said. He also recalled his own attempt at heli-tourism over a decade ago, which faced challenges due to a lack of governmental support, expressing optimism that this iteration would succeed.
Despite the optimism, environmental activists and conservationists are raising red flags. Critics argue that the initiative lacks adequate environmental assessment, risking irreversible damage to Kerala’s fragile ecosystems.
N.V. Satheesan, a retired forest range officer, voiced strong concerns about the impact on wildlife. “Animals and birds cannot adapt to the noise pollution and habitat destruction caused by such projects,” he noted. Kerala’s forests, already fragmented and shrinking, could face increased strain, leading to a rise in human-animal conflicts.
Environmental groups and the state’s Forest Department have also expressed opposition, warning that the project could disrupt the delicate balance of Kerala’s biodiversity. A green activist, who has been following the heli-tourism project, said “development activities undertaken in the forest areas often tend to unsettle wildlife in many ways. What the heli-tourism sector is set to do is the same, with construction of helipads and other infrastructure projects”. Such disruption would only bring about more damage than good, and the government needs to chart out its plans with the environment in mind or shelve it, he added.
Meanwhile, a couple of tour operators in southern Kerala voiced dismay at how the opposition to the initiative is brewing. “Tourism is at the centre of Kerala’s economy, and we need to find innovative ways to tap its ever-widening potential. The heli-tourism project must go on without considering the negativity emanating from a section of people, and it will only be beneficial to tourists who come calling and also the state’s coffers,” they pointed out.
The Tourism Department is keen on the project, and the state Cabinet's approval of the policy bolsters its decision. However, a tourism expert recalled how the much-hyped `caravan tourism project' had hit roadblocks. A shortage of full-fledged caravan parks, lack of good roads in hilly terrain, and bureaucratic red tape had derailed the project, he noted.
The policy has stirred political unease within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). The Communist Party of India (CPI), a key coalition partner, initially opposed the move but eventually backed the Kerala Cabinet’s collective decision.
The government is determined to push the project forward, but it faces an uphill task to addressing the environmental and political challenges. While the heli-tourism initiative represents a bold step towards modernising Kerala's tourism landscape and increasing the state's global appeal, it also highlights the tension between development and sustainability.
All eyes are on how the government will navigate resistance from environmental groups and ensure the project balances growth with ecological preservation. For now, Kerala’s skies are open, but the path ahead remains turbulent.
