The Kerala government is aiming to create an adventure tourism circuit linking Kerala’s rivers to tap the great potential of river-based tourism in the state. Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyassaid this after experiencing rafting and kayaking on the placid waters of the Anjarakandi River in Kannur district on Wednesday.River-based tourism in north Kerala holds a lot of potential, said the state Tourism Department.

The minister noted that no serious effort has been made so far for developing river tourism in Kerala, but the government has now made plans to tap this sector in a big way as it would help increase the footfalls of both foreign and domestic tourists in considerable numbers.

“The government will look into creating an adventure tourism circuit linking the rivers of Kerala. Necessary infrastructure would be developed in key points of the circuit. The completion of the waterway project will impart an added momentum to aqua tourism in the state,”Riyas said.

The waterway project, crisscrossing 11 districts, will provide tourists with an opportunity to cruise through the ancient water highways. Around 50 tourism spots would be created along the banks of the 633-kms West Coast Canal (WCC) from Kovalam in the south to Kasaragod in the north, said the tourism department.