Panchayats and communities are playing an active role via STREET, a Kerala Tourism initiative, to develop spaces with tourism potential

Maravanthuruthu, a tiny panchayat, nearly 40 km from Kottayam, resembles a picturesque, pastoral scene from a Malayalam film. Flowing languidly along banks lush with tropical plants, coconut palms and flowering shrubs, the jade green Arival thodu (canal), connects two tributaries of Muvattupuzha river at Aaatuvelakkadavu and Panjipalam. Flower-laden paths lead to the stream, while a road parallel to the stream features paintings on compound walls and houses on both sides.  

Smooth sailing down a stream in rural Kerala (Source: Special arrangement)

Recently, Maravanthuruthu panchayat was in the news on account of the first water street and art street in Kerala, thanks to an initiative led by Kerala Tourism, which is developing a new tourism model based on community involvement.