Seethathodu, gateway to Gavi, unveils grand tourism plan

With its mist-clad hills, picture-perfect reservoirs and remote villages tucked away in dense forests, the little-known countryside of Seethathodu in Pathanamthitta is gearing up to carve a place for itself on Kerala’s tourism map.

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), in association with the Seethathodu grama panchayat, is set to roll out an ambitious series of tourism diversification projects linked to the Gavi Tourism Circuit. As part of it, a team of officials led by KSEB Chairman A. Rajamanickam undertook a detailed inspection of the proposed locations here the other day.

The plan seeks to unlock the tourism potential of vast tracts of KSEB-owned land spread across Seethathodu. The panchayat has been tasked with preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR), which will chart out a range of recreational and tourism ventures aimed at transforming the region into a major visitor destination.

‘Chain of attractions’

At the heart of the proposal is a 3.5-acre KSEB property near the Kakkad powerhouse, earmarked for a multi-faceted tourism hub. According to panchayat president Lekha Suresh, the site is envisioned as a vibrant activity centre featuring a world-class sports complex, a botanical garden and several other attractions. “A chain of attractions is being planned along the scenic corridor stretching from Maniyar through Seethathodu, Angamoozhy and Moozhiyar to Gavi, creating an integrated tourism experience across the high ranges’’, she says.

One of the project’s most distinctive features will be the conversion of KSEB’s unused residential quarters into affordable tourist cottages. Rather than allowing these structures to decay, authorities plan to restore and repurpose them as budget accommodation facilities for travellers “The Sabarigiri project area possesses extensive landholdings and infrastructure that can be effectively utilised for tourism development. Many of these assets are currently lying idle and deteriorating. By repurposing them, we can create new tourism products without disturbing the fragile ecosystem,” said an official.

Hydel tourism

Hydel tourism is expected to emerge as another major attraction. The Moozhiyar, Kakki and Anathode dams will be integrated into the tourism circuit, opening up possibilities for boating and other water-based activities. Plans are also being drawn up to creatively utilise tunnels, reservoirs, abandoned buildings and overgrown vacant spaces. The region’s tourism prospects are expected to receive a further boost with the completion of the Seethathodu-Gavi River Ethno Hub, a Tourism department project currently under construction.

Meanwhile, a meeting chaired by the KSEB chairman also decided to expedite the allotment of land for apartment complexes at Moozhiyar to rehabilitate tribal families currently living in remote forest settlements in the Gavi region. The meeting further resolved to convene a high-level coordination meeting involving officials from KSEB, the Forest department and the Revenue department to address pending issues related to the construction of the proposed 220 kV substation at Seethathodu.