Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is set to introduce a new Green Marshal initiative aimed at making tourist destinations across the state safer, cleaner and more environmentally responsible. The programme will be officially rolled out on October 9, with the first phase expected to create employment opportunities for around 180 people.

The initiative has been launched by the Kerala Tourism Department to establish a local workforce that can monitor tourist destinations on a day-to-day basis and respond quickly to issues faced by visitors. Green Marshals will initially be deployed at selected tourist destinations across the state.

Focus on Tourist Safety and Assistance

Green Marshals will have a broad range of responsibilities extending beyond conventional security duties. They will assist tourists, monitor safety, identify problems at destinations and help visitors during emergencies.

The programme places particular emphasis on the safety of solo travellers and women travellers, reflecting the changing nature of tourism in Kerala. Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh has highlighted the importance of ensuring that visitors, particularly women travelling alone, feel safe and secure while visiting tourist destinations.

The Green Marshals will also be trained in appropriate tourist interaction so that visitors receive professional and courteous assistance.

Cleanliness and Environmental Protection

A major component of the initiative will be destination management and environmental protection. Green Marshals will monitor cleanliness, waste disposal and the functioning of basic facilities at tourist spots.

They will also identify gaps in destination infrastructure and report maintenance issues, helping tourism authorities respond to problems more quickly.

The initiative comes amid concerns over littering, inadequate waste management and poor maintenance at some popular tourist destinations. An earlier pilot plan identified Munnar, Wayanad and Kovalam among the destinations where the Green Marshal concept would be tested.

180 Employment Opportunities in First Phase

The first phase of the programme is expected to provide employment opportunities for around 180 people. Recruitment information released by Kerala Tourism indicates that Green Marshal positions are being filled for tourism destinations across different districts of the state.

Recent recruitment reports have indicated that candidates are required to have at least an SSLC qualification, while the recruitment process has been designed to create a trained workforce capable of handling visitor assistance, destination management and environmental responsibilities.

A Step Towards Safer and Sustainable Tourism

Kerala's tourism industry encompasses beaches, hill stations, backwaters, forests, heritage sites and other environmentally sensitive destinations. The Green Marshal initiative is intended to provide a stronger on-ground mechanism for managing these locations while improving the overall visitor experience.

The programme combines tourist safety, cleanliness, waste management, environmental protection and destination upkeep under one local monitoring system. If successful, the initiative could eventually be expanded to more tourist destinations across Kerala.

With the official launch scheduled for October 9, the Green Marshal programme marks a significant step in Kerala's continuing efforts to promote safe, clean, responsible and sustainable tourism