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Aimed at promoting responsible ecotourism rooted in marine conservation, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has launched a unique initiative to equip tourist guides as ambassadors of Keralam’s marine heritage.

Intended to boost sustainable ecotourism and promoting conservation awareness, the Institute educated 24 government-certified tourist guides in the State through a three-day practical training on Keralam’s rich heritage of coastal ecosystems.

An extension of CMFRI’s popular Fish Walk outreach programme launched last year, the new initiative focuses on strengthening public awareness on marine biodiversity and conservation by educating tourism professionals about scientific knowledge that they could share with domestic and international visitors to Keralam’s beaches, backwaters and coastal attractions every year.

The training provided insights on historic and contemporary fisheries in the State, marine biodiversity, coastal and marine ecosystems from beaches to rocky reefs, estuaries, mangroves, backwaters, the open sea and deep-sea environments. Participants were also introduced to the rich tapestry of marine wealth of the maritime state which are useful in creating awareness and answering curious domestic and international visitors to the state. With exports and marketing from the marine sector being a mainstay of Keralam’s economy, the tourism professionals were provided with relevant knowledge on this as well as mariculture activities.

The programme included field visits to Chellanam Fishing Harbour, Puthethodu Beach, Kottapuram fish cage farms and the Panambukad mangroves, helping participants gain firsthand exposure to diverse coastal ecosystems and fisheries practices.

CMFRI Director Grinson George said the initiative is an innovative community engagement effort designed to promote environment-friendly and responsible coastal tourism, creating benefits for local livelihoods as well as marine ecosystems.

Tourist guides interact with thousands of visitors every year and are ideally placed to communicate the importance of conserving our marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable fisheries. By empowering them with scientific knowledge, we are extending the reach of marine conservation messages far beyond conventional awareness programmes, he added.

Kochi Mayor V K Minimol said Keralam’s rich coastal heritage with traditional marine knowledge is a unique cultural asset for sustainable ecotourism. This initiative will nurture a tourism culture rooted in environmental conservation, reducing plastic pollution on beaches, and promoting responsible tourism.

Published on July 17, 2026

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