There is much to rejoice about Fort Kochi being listed in Lonely Planet and Nat Geo Traveller among the best destinations to visit in 2020. This is indeed good news which may possibly have an impact on the local economy and its community. Sadly inspite of this good news, there is no initiative from government authorities to implement a cohesive long term plan for Fort Kochi’s sustainable development to protect and preserve its environment or to resolve its persistent civic issues such lack of civic infrastructure for tourists, dirty beaches and accumulation of plastic waste.

Its disappointing to note that Fort Kochi lacks even basic civic amenities like information kiosks and clean public toilets for tourists despite being a prime tourist center. One just needs to have a cursory look at the boat jetties which are used frequently not just by foreign and domestic tourists but as well as daily commuters.

Here is my blog post on my thoughts regarding Kochi Water Metro.

However the biggest disappointment of Fort Kochi is its beach, Amongst the dirtiest in India.

Fort Kochi just as any other tourist spot in Kerala is inundated with plastic waste. Anecdotal evidence indicates that food and beverage packaging is among the biggest contributors to this pollution. We are responsible for the waste which is generated and callously disposed off.

Every packet of Lays or Kurkure thrown by us; every bottle of Coke, every Pepsi we have drunk, every packet of Lazza icecream, each and every Frooti tetrapack we have callously thrown away has contributed to this crisis.

Just as each consumer, everyone in this supply chain including the manufacturer must take responsibility for this plastic waste pollution.

Homestays, restaurants, shops and establishments, street vendors and hotels who sell packaged drinking water, cool beverages and packaged snacks play a crucial role in the life cycle of waste generated.

Street vendors must take initiative in ensuring that people who buy from them do not litter the area. Currently, there are only bins provided by Clean Fort Kochi Foundation (CFF) and various donors, which is not sufficient. Inspite of providing waste bins, it is noted that many people throw away waste rather callously. I have repeatedly used the word “callously” to highlight the apathetic attitude of Indians in keeping our environment clean. This is where a strict penalty/fine system must be enforced. Empower volunteers and street vendors and provide them incentive to report and initiate action against those who litter or dump waste.

Clean Fort Kochi Foundation and its volunteers must be highly commended for bringing people together and taking an active interest in the the cleanup of Fort Kochi beach.

There is a regular saturday cleaning drive of Fort Kochi beach by CFF and its volunteers. CFF has installed waste bins, bio-compost bins donated by local establishments.

There have been several commendable initiatives by individuals, groups and Janamaithri Police to cleanup Fort Kochi beach. But what it lacks is a consistent and long term approach with stringent measures to penalise violators.

Imposing a penalty on those carrying plastic bags has proven to be a deterrent and has shown results in reducing its usage and disposal. What we need is more stringent measures to penalise those who litter with even small food packaging as well as disposable plastic bottles.

In the long term in addition to those found to be littering, manufacturers of packaged food as well as packaged drinking water and beverages must be penalised or they should provide a viable long term solution for safe disposal of this waste. Alternatively they should contribute funds to pay for the cost disposing of plastic waste with their branding.

The corporate sector must own up responsibility for food and beverage packaging waste as they are the ones who make a profit from it.

Seaweed in addition to plastic waste which washes up on the shore has been a challenging factor to maintain Fort Kochi beach. Funds and resources must be allocated to find a long term plan to clear Fort Kochi beach from dead seaweed in consultation with organisations such as CMFRI. A study needs to be undertaken on what type of seaweed floats ashore and how this threat can be addressed in a cost effective manner.

“Beaches choked with stinky seaweed could be the new normal”. Read more about it here

Fort Kochi’s economy survives on its tourist inflow. Apathy towards cleanliness and environmental protection will have disastrous consequences to Fort Kochi’s local economy. As waste from packaging, fishing activities, food and seaweed devalue the aesthetic value of the beach, where most tourists visit to relax, it can serve as a deterrent to future visitors.

What Needs To Be Done To Revive Fort Kochi Beach

All stakeholders should come together under a common platform to address civic issues which have a direct bearing on tourism and growth of Fort Kochi.

These stakeholders include:

• Citizens/Local residents
• Shops & Establishments
• Homestays
• Restaurants
• Street Vendors
• Hotels
• NGOs
• Government Authorities
• Political Leaders

None of them can deny that a flourishing Fort Kochi is essential to their individual survival. So it is in their own interest that they act swiftly to address these persistent issues.

This common platform should draw an action plan and strategy to clean-up Fort Kochi beach in consultation with local councillors and govt representatives. ( CFF and other individuals have already taken an initiative in this direction which must be appreciated but what it lacks is a consistent approach and master plan). Random ad-hoc cleaning drives have only a limited impact unless it is integrated into a long term strategy.

This common platform must appoint volunteers to engage and interact with local community and provide them with the information and power to desist people from littering the streets or the beach.

Local Police, Civil Police should severely penalise anyone littering or dumping waste be it small packets, packaging or food waste generated by restaurants and vendors.

The ASEAN Clean Tourist City Standard is an excellent reference point to to implement a strategy.

• Is there a master-plan in consultation with all stakeholders?
• Is there an action plan or strategy to raise awareness of local people about environmental protection and cleanliness?
• Are there sufficient wastebins around Fort Kochi?
• Are there sufficient well maintained toilets?
• How often are pubic areas around Fort Kochi cleaned by the authorities?
• Are there sufficient personnel to monitor and penalise those who litter?
• Would it be possible to empower Kudambashree workers and Kochi Corporation cleaners to penalise those who litter?
• How much money has been allotted by government authorities and Kochi Corporation for the aesthetic maintenance of the beach? Is it effectively utilised?
• How much funds need to be allotted for implementation of various activities?
• Are there any awareness campaigns (publicity, events, competitions, etc.) carried out about environmental protection and cleanliness aimed at the local population and domestic tourists?
• Is there any action plan or strategy to raise awareness of shops & establishments, street vendors about environmental protection and cleanliness and the impact it can have on Fort Kochi’s economy?
• Most importantly is there a local government representative who can take responsibility, dedicate time and lead the initiative?

We cannot deny the involvement of councillors or local representatives despite their failure to initiate and implement a successful action plan in Fort Kochi. Hibi Eden, MP has successfully executed a project to beautify “Queens Walkway”. The open gym project developed with the (Hibi Eden) MP’s funds has helped greatly to utilise and cleanup the immediate vicinity at the periphery of “Queens Walkway”. The location is buzzing with life and activity even at late hours of the night thanks to Hibi Eden’s initiative of setting up an Open Gym.

Despite these lacunae, Fort Kochi has survived, thanks to its people, local culture and “feel”. Fort Kochi is a hot favourite among foreign tourists and budget travelers who stay at home stays. But question remains, for how long will it continue to remain an attractive tourist spot? This is not just a question of saving Fort Kochi beach, its a question of livelihood of people of Fort Kochi. Fort Kochi has untapped potential which has been proven by the huge success of the art fest- Kochi-Muziris Biennale . The fifth edition of the art fest is scheduled in 2020. Would it be asking for too much to offer our guests a better experience?

In the words of Lonely Planet “It’s a delightful place to explore, laze in arty cafes and relax at some of India’s finest homestays and heritage hotels.”

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/kerala/kochi-cochin

These are just thoughts and ideas which I hope will lead to conversation and engagement beyond just creating a buzz in social media. I hope to see this platform bring together people, people’s representatives, government authorities to address persistent civic issues. Together, we can bring about change and make an impact.