TOURIST HUB AT 12.

FATHIMA BASHEER

MUNROE
ISLAND
 TOURIST HUB AT MUNROE ISLAND

INTRODUCTION
Eco-tourism is one such activities which provide a solution by creating awareness
and concern for the environment among both the tourist and local people of the
region.

Also, the local skills could be developed and explored. The traditional and
indigenous knowledge, along with scientific development can be explored.

Eco tourism Hub by itself, which talks about the tourism aspects of the context,
creating a cultural Hub point which gives a platform for the villagers as well as
the essence of the vernacular for the tourist.

The brief of the concept is to design an eco-tourism hub for the region of
MUNROE ISLAND (An ecologically sensitive area) and the proximity near the
region. Keeping in mind the local traditions, culture, art and Architecture. The
design brief put an emphasis on the articulation of said traditions and their
interpretation in modern times without losing the essence of the vernacularity.

The Munroe-islands is a cluster of islands located on the confluence zone of the

Kallada river and the Ashtamudi lake in the Kollam district of Kerala state. The
island measures a total area of 13.4 sq.km with Pattamthuruthu, Pezhamthuruthu
and Perungalam as the major islands. Before entering the lake the river, which is
the major tributary of the lake, splits into many narrow and wider canals before
discharging into the lake. Listed by lonely planet, Munroe island is one among
the most tourist preferred destinations in Kollam district as well as a most
prominent village-canal tourism zone in Kerala.

And now this place is highly vulnerable to flood. Due to different natural and
anthropogenic activities, the island is under sinking and shrinking. The actual
elevation of the island is 3m above mean sea level. Due to the 2004 tsunami, the
island is dipped to .5 to 1m. Also the sand mining and heavy constructions leads
to sinking. The total area of the island is 15.2 km2 and now it is reduced to 13.4
km2. One island in the Panchayat is sinked. Shrinkage is also identified, in
relation with sinking.

This project can be used to talk about vernacular settlement which can achieve
sustainability through planning, orientation, materials and architectural practices
evolved from long time due to the socioeconomic, climatic and environmental
factors of the Region.

AIM
•To develop Munroe Island into an up-market tourist destination and to make
use of tourism for socio-economic development in a sustainable manner,
without harming the environment, heritage and culture.
OBJECTIVE
•To create an opportunity to the local people as well as for the tourist to get the
essence of the context, keeping alive the essence of the context.
•To design a better vision for tomorrow by keeping the Essence of the local
regional context.
•Reprioritize the usage of the site based on the needs of the site demands.
•To make the space a centre of public interaction and activities that reflects the
people of the region.
•To engage the people by creating a hub in the village where they can learn,
educate and understand each other.
NEED OF THE STUDY
Munroe is an area having high potential in tourism. Now the area is under threat
of many environmental activities.
The village of Munroe, the context of the site is a tourist spot and as the tourism
is increasing each year people from around the world are travelling to see this
beautiful village and the plus point is that there are many Tourism near the
village which clearly states that there is a need for Eco-Tourism Hub in this
arena.
Eco tourism is one such activities which will create an activities for the region.
The local People gets the opportunity to expose their skills their economy to the
tourist, which can create an important part of the hub.
METHODOLOGY
The methodology involved the collection of primary data regarding tourism
activity from the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) and other
organizations and individuals in tourism industry.
Then to conduct visitor and host population surveys to understand their
preferences in tourism development.
The collection of data regarding with the ecological, environmental and
geographical pattern of the area.
This data can be analysed and can propose a design strategy, material and
typology needed for the site and surrounding.
A case study in a similar context.
On the basis all these, a tourism development vision as a tourist hub can create
for the Islands

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
The site will be developed with different types of components:

1. Facilitation Centre – information & entry tickets for zones.

2.Weekly markets for the villagers, craft shops, Exhibition shops: where the
villagers can get exposed and increase their growth of the economy. The market
will run only on the basis of once in a week where they can sell all their organic
crops or vegetables.

3. Research centre : A science and technology centre can be considered. A centre

for educating people about the environmental issues and geographical properties
of the land with appropriate landscaping can be developed.

4. Workshop activities: where the tourist can educate the villagers and spread
awareness and learn from one another. The villagers can showcase their skills and
even export their talents.
5.Accommodation unit for the tourist people: A home stay feeling
accommodation unit for the tourist.

6. Library: It will provide a better exposure for the young generation of the
surrounding villages.

7. O.A.T: Cultural program and festival season of recreational space.

8. Food court: An exclusive restaurant offering local cuisine. The restaurant

should be manned by people in local traditional costumes, and the dishes could
be served in a traditional setting. The restaurant can be used to popularize local
food items and traditional sweet & savories. Open food courts to cater to various
tastes.

8. Banking services : banking services including ATM counter and forex service
counters.
CONCLUSION

The core strength of Munroe-island as a tourism destination is the distinctive

natural beauty and the sole aim in the proposal of hub was to retain it and protect
it, allowing only minimal physical interventions. The exercise will create a
framework for tourism development activities in the Islands. Also the process can
be extended to all other locations surrounding the Ashtamudi backwater, which
will bring about an integrated tourism development scheme for the entire
backwater edge.