File photo of a KSRTC bus plying on the scenic forest route from Pathanamthitta to Kumily via Gavi inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
| Photo Credit: LEJU KAMAL
The road that transformed Gavi from a hidden forest retreat into a tourism hotspot is now carrying a surge of visitors that the fragile wilderness is struggling to absorb.As the village deep inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve finds itself struggling to balance the demands of booming tourism, authorities have moved to redraw the boundaries of visitor movement. The Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC), which manages Gavi, has imposed a strict ban on tourists entering the narrow lanes of labour settlements and the surrounding forest areas.“The only activity permitted for visitors in Gavi is guided trekking through the forests. Under no circumstances will they be allowed to enter the settlement lanes, as it compromises the safety and privacy of the people living there,” said Raju K. Francis, Managing Director of KFDC.According to him, the issue was discussed on priority at a recent meeting attended by the District Collector, the District Police Chief and other senior officials, convened in the wake of the murder of an anganwadi worker.Officials said most labour settlements in Gavi have only children at home during the day, while their parents leave for work at plantations. However, large groups of smartphone-wielding tourists have increasingly been venturing into these residential lanes, often ignoring requests to maintain distance and refrain from interacting with local residents, including children.To enforce the restrictions, KFDC has begun installing warning boards across the settlements, cautioning visitors that trespassing will invite legal action. However, the Pathanamthitta-Kumily Road, which cuts through the region, will continue to remain open to travellers.Increase in footfallThe restrictions come amid a sharp increase in tourist arrivals, particularly through KSRTC services. Officials said visitor numbers cross 2,000 on certain days, far exceeding the carrying capacity envisaged in the area’s management plan, which remains in force till 2030.“Such large crowds not only result in visitors entering restricted areas but also contribute to littering and other challenges,” an official said.Spread across nearly 1,100 acres, the KFDC-managed estate has cardamom and eucalyptus plantations, with tourism emerging as an important additional source of revenue. While KFDC officially permits only 100 tourists a day for its ecotourism programmes and provides accommodation for 60 overnight guests, budget tourism services run by KSRTC have brought hundreds more visitors to Gavi every day.Overcrowding in busMeanwhile, the popularity of the KSRTC route appears to have created fresh challenges for the transport corporation too. Officials said tourists, including those from outside Kerala, begin queuing up at the Pathanamthitta bus station in the early hours to secure seats on the journey through Gavi.“While the route has become immensely popular, it has affected the travel plans of residents of Gavi and regular commuters. The overcrowding is also a safety concern, considering the numerous hairpin bends and deep gorges along the route,” an official said.The Pathanamthitta-Kumily KSRTC service via Gavi has transformed into a destination in itself, taking travellers through dense reserve forests, scenic reservoirs and some of the most picturesque stretches of Kerala’s high ranges before reaching Kumily. Published - June 29, 2026 07:34 pm IST
