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Kerala News

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Kerala / The New Indian Express

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Maha-papam!

As the tourism season gathers momentum with visitor arrivals steadily rising, the iconic Varkala cliff and Papanasam beach continue to present a grim picture of neglect despite their status as an ecologically sensitive geo-heritage site on the Unesco tentative list. The laterite cliff is now marred by safety, sanitation, and environmental concerns. Tourists are greeted by poorly -lit pathways. Littered beaches and untreated sewage flowing directly into the sea and onto the shore owing to the lack of proper liquid-waste management among several hoteliers have become major turn-offs for visitors. Adding to the discomfort is the growing menace of stray dogs. This crater on the bridge leading to the Papanasam beach screams out the state of affairs here. Tourists use mobile flashlights to navigate a poorly-lit path to the beach Stray dogs on the beach Defunct CCTV cameras Inadequate maintenance has left walkways, public amenities, and view points in a deteriorated condition. Meanwhile, the ambitious Varkala Master Plan designed by Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Limited to offer comprehensive solutions ranging from improved waste management and organised parking to enhanced pedestrian facilities and cliff conservation remains in a limbo. It is notable that the destination received 5.98 lakh domestic tourists and 19,749 foreign tourists last year. Tourist struggle their way down a rocky path Wild growth has taken over a viewpoint at Varkala Dumping of waste remains a bane of Varkala Tourists walking down a path by fragile cliff edge

29 Nov 2025 1:49 pm