Konni: Endurance after floods
Text: Ravi Shankar P
Konni is a small town in Pathanamthitta district that borders Achenkovil reserve forests. The place is famous for Elephant training centres and watercourse projects. This is one of the tourist places to see in the district where you can stroll though woods and take a light glide in the waters. Presently the place is being revamped, post the heavy floods that happened in Kerala in the month of August 2018. During the floods, Pathanamthitta was one of the districts which was trounced by waters. Konni, major town and Taluk headquarters in Pathanamthitta district was also vanquished in the aftermath of floods. When Kerala was besieged in incessant rains during the month of August, tourism sector was at the receiving end of the whole ordeal. However, if the latest news reports from the authorities, are anything to go by, God’s Own Country is again ready to welcome tourists.
According to a survey conducted by the state tourism department, it was found that 60 of the 70 major tourist destinations of the state have been restored and are back to being operational.
In this regard, Konni Eco tourism project is also making up its losses. K Viswanathan, one of the guards at Konni forest reserve said, “After the floods, for sometime the tourist inflow was low. But now the inflow is increasing everyday and tourism is getting back on track here”.
WHAT KONNI OFFERS ?
Konni is full of options to satisfy the traveller in you. Konni gives you the experience of serenity and adventure on a single canvas. The road to Adavi Eco Tourism situated in the greens of Konni await the tourists to explore the wild. Situated at just 5 km from Mundommoozhy, on the proposed Achencoil-Chittar hill highway, Adavi is a perfect weekend gateway to refresh your mind and soul.
So what is so unique about Adavi that makes it distinct from other tourist spots ?
The hauntingly beautiful Adavi is known for its coracle rafting or the bowl riding - the first of its kind in Kerala. A picturesque forest patch, 10 km from Konni on the banks of river Kallar, Adavi has nearly 5-km river frontage. Coracle rafting is an innovative venture, which promises a never-before experience to travellers.
Rowing through the emerald ripples lets you watch the riveting forest patch in it full glory. The lush green ambience is enhanced by the musical notes of forest cacophony. The Coracle offers long and short rides with the long ones being preferred by those who seek adventure.
One bowl boat can accommodate maximum of 10 people. One can see the major elephant capturing spots and remnants of the elephant capturing pits of the area. The river banks are covered with riparian forests having rare species of trees. The river is blessed with rolling stones that make the riding thrilling and adventurous.
Rowing through the emerald ripples lets you watch the riveting forest patch in it full glory. The lush green ambience is enhanced by the musical notes of forest cacophony. The Coracle offers long and short rides with the long ones being preferred by those who seek adventure.
The bowl ride 
The Coracle rafting available here is of two types. During summer season when the water is low, the guards will move the Coracle through the small stream of water in between the thick woods.
Second one is during the rainy season and it is a one hour programme where they move the Coracle through down side moving water and it will be give a rafting experience to the travelers. The best time to enjoy the ride here is during a cool morning or a chilly evening.
Before the floods about 30 bowl boats were in service here. It had been one of the flagship projects under the District Tourism Promotion Council in Pathanamthitta. According to data provided by DTPC, Adavi generated an income of Rs 2.01 crore from April 2016 to March 2017. In May 2017 alone, the revenue was around Rs12.50 lakh. Interestingly, the revenue from the bowl boat ride crossed Rs 1 lakh mark on certain days.
During the time of flood some of the boats were destroyed but the DTPC was quick in revamping the area. DTPC was particular that the project should be back on track as soon as possible as it had been one of the income generating projects for the Council. Thankfully, tourism activities are back in full swing now.
The short duration rides are charged Rs 400 per person, while a long duration trip costs Rs 800 per person.
What more Konni offers ?
Konni is traditionally famous for timber trade and wild elephant training centre. This charming town with lush meadows and hill stands on the bank of river Achakovil is surrounded by clove and pepper plantations.
Apart from the Elephant Karal (training centre) and Adavi tourism project, there is much more for the tourists to look into at Konni. There is waterfall near the Adavi where the tourists can take dip in fresh water.
Tourists who wish to stay at Konni can make their day memorable by staying at bamboo huts built by the Forest Department on the banks of the Kallar river at Adavi.
Presently there are five huts that are open to tourists and the daily rent of a hut is fixed at Rs 4,000.
So Konni offers a multifaceted experience, where the tourists can stay in huts, undertake trekking, ride on a coracle in the Kallar river and visit the Konni Elephant Karal.