TOURISM INDIA MARCH 2019 TOURISM INDIA MARCH 2019 | Page 19

I
n good news to tourists,
history enthusiasts and nature
buffs, Kerala Tourism has
launched projects to set up a digital
museum and raise a Miyawaki model
forest at the Kanakakunnu Palace in
the heart of the state capital.
While launching both the projects at
a function at Kanakakunnu Palace , Mr.
Kadakampally Surendran Minister for
Co-operation, Tourism and Devaswom,
mooted the idea of formulating a
Travancore Heritage plan, on the
lines of the Muziris, Alappuzha and
Thalassery heritage projects.
The Minister said Miyawaki model
forest, coming up at five cents on the
Suryakanthi grounds, will be replicated
in all major tourist centres of the state.
The two schemes underscore the
state’s policy of promoting tourism by
preserving nature and heritage.
In her address, Mrs. Rani George
IAS, Secretary, Tourism, said the digital
museum will showcase the culture of
Travancore and Kerala. Mr. P Bala Kiran
IAS, Director, Tourism, said world-class
technology has gone into the concept
of the digital museum.
Mr. Palayam Rajan, Councillor,
Corporation, Thiruvananthapuram,
presided over both the functions
The Museum is part of works
worth Rs 8.94 crore sanctioned to
strengthen and preserve the heritage
of Kanakakunnu Palace, a bustling
cultural hub known for its aesthetically
crafted architecture located at the core
of a lush green mound.
Even as the central theme of the
museum is political and social history
of Travancore, it will shed light on the
general history of Kerala, its inclusive
culture, unique religious traditions
and alluring landscapes. It will also
THE MUSEUM WILL TAKE THE
VISITORS TO A VIRTUAL TOUR
DOWN THE CENTURIES BY
AID OF PROJECT MAPPING,
BY WHICH THE HISTORY OF
TRAVANCORE IN PARTICULAR
AND DIVERSE ASPECTS OF
KERALA’S CULTURE WILL
BE COMMUNICATED TO THE
VISITORS.
encapsulate an array of illustrations
and descriptions on spices, for which
Kerala has been renowned the world
over since ancient days, Ayurvedic
tradition and the ethnic knowledge of
herbs and medicines.
The museum will take the visitors
to a virtual tour down the centuries by
aid of project mapping, by which the
history of Travancore in particular and
diverse aspects of Kerala’s culture will
be communicated to the visitors.
Other highlights include innovative
table-top display that enables visitors
to have 3D view of objects, audio-
visual zone and laser projection, 4D
photographic panel and automated
ticketing facility.
The rare audio-visual experience will
be topped with a sound-and-light show
in all evenings. The Government has
given administrative sanction of Rs
4.90 crore for setting up the museum
and Rs one crore for its operation and
maintenance.
The Government has also accorded
administrative sanction for Rs 2.90
crore for the heritage preserving
works of the palace. The work will
be executed by Uralunglal Labour
Contract Co-operative Society
(ULCCS).
Mr. Kadakampally Surendran, of Minister for Co-operation, Devaswom and Tourism, Kerala
inaugurating the Miyawaki model forest at Kanakakunnu in Trivandrum by planting a tree. Prof.
V.K. damodaran, Chairman, Green Action, Ms. Rani George IAS, Secretary, Kerala Tourism, Mr.
KV Ravishankar, Tourism Advisory Board Member, Mr. Palayam Rajan, Trivandrum Corporation
Councillor, Mr. P Bala Kiran IAS Director of Kerala Tourism and Dr. Rajashree Ajith, Director, KITTS are
also seen.
March 2019 Tourism India
19