Wayanad, known for its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife, is the favourite tourism destination for many people in India. Wayanad is an ideal hill station in the Western Ghats. Wayanad has a dense forest cover, and various rivers originate from here. There are many trekking points in Wayanad. A major portion of land belongs to the forest area. Wayanad is also home to many biological reserves. It is a place where you can be yourself. It is a place that boosts your inner peace. There are many places in Wayanad that make you amazed every time you visit. Meenmutty waterfalls, Edakkal caves, Banasura Sagar Dam, and Pookode Lake are some of the favourite travel destinations in Wayanad.

The tourism sector significantly contributes 22% to Wayanad’s economy. The transformation of Wayanad into a tourism hub began in the late 1980s. During the early stages, Wayanad was not part of mainstream tourism due to its remote location and a lack of infrastructure. But lately, with better road connectivity and accommodation facilities, Wayanad started attracting tourists from various parts of India. With the advancement of the internet and social media platforms, Wayanad’s prominence as a tourist destination grew much faster than ever. 

 However, the region recently faced a mighty challenge in the form of a landslide. The landslide was triggered by the heavy and continuous rainfall in the state. This unfortunate incident happened on July 30, 2024. Extensive deforestation and unscientific construction are the major causes of the landslide, according to experts. We should also not forget the fact that these areas are ecologically vulnerable. The disaster was one of the deadliest in the history of Kerala. The government report indicates that more than 400 people lost their lives, and more than 100 people were termed as missing. This landslide disaster is one of the deadliest disasters ever to happen in the state.

 The landslide first impacted the area where the Iruvanjippuzha River originates between the villages of Punjirimattom and Mundakkai, sweeping away both villages. The only bridge to connect the two villages also collapsed. Local authorities claim that people were instructed to relocate to the relief camps amid heavy rainfall. But still, they prefer to stay at home without understanding the seriousness of the situation.

Landslides in Wayanad had a huge impact on the tourism sector of the region. People are also reluctant to travel to Wayanad in the wake of the landslides in the region, leading to massive financial losses for the region. Most of the tourist spots were closed temporarily. Local vendors and small business owners are also in crisis. Most of the bookings were cancelled after people raised concerns about the safety of the places. 

But slowly, situations are changing. Wayanad is one the wake-up call to regain its lost pride. The state government has started promoting Wayanad as a safe destination for tourists. For that purpose, the Revisit Wayanad campaign will be launched. The campaign aims at encouraging people to visit Wayanad and rebuild their trust. The campaign is targeting not just people from Kerala but also people from other states. Tourist officials also stress the importance of creating awareness among people about the safety of the place. The social media campaign “Ente Keralam Ethra Sundaram” that was launched to promote the state’s beauty and diversity also supports this initiative.

 Tour operators, resorts, and homestays have already begun reopening, actively promoting Wayanad as a top travel destination. They also started their own promotions on social media. The state government of Kerala is heavily dependent on tourism, but the government should also need to prioritise the protection of its ecosystem.