Despite the onset of a busy tourist season, Fort Kochi beach, one of the top tourist destinations in the state and the areas nearby, are littered with filth and sea weeds. The beach is losing its charm due to the apathy and the attitude of the authorities concerned.
Clumps of sea weed along the beach mar the beauty of the long stretches of sand. There exists no system to clear the weeds at regular intervals. As a result, visitors find it difficult to walk along the beach.
Though more than 20 workers have been employed for cleaning, the beach and the walkway remain dirty.
“The District Tourism Promotion Council and the district administration should provide additional funds for cleaning and beautifying the place as the paucity of funds affects the regular cleaning work.
The fees collected from film units for using Fort Kochi and its surroundings for shooting, should be used for the cleaning drive”, said Antony Kureethara, division councillor. Fort Kochi has become one of tinsel town’s most sought after locations and nearly 60 to 65 films are shot here every year.
The councillor has asked the district administration to form a special fund for Fort Kochi beautification. Additional workers should be employed to clear the weeds on a daily basis, he said.
“It’s embarrassing to receive visitors from across the world to a tourist spot which looks anything but attractive”, said a local resident.