Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism Village project is a unique initiative to transform the tiny island as a model fishing village and tourism hotspot. Here at the Kumbalangi Tourism Village one can fully savour a variety of natural splendours, as well as paramount to a model tourist village, the outstanding ecological balance of the location.
Kumbalangi is an island-village on the out skirts of Cochin city of Kerala State in South India . As Kumbaangi is close to the heart of Cochin city, reaching there would pose no problems whatsoever. Innumerable number of buses, both private and KSRTC ply towards Kumbalangi. By road it is 45 Km.from the Kochi International Airport , 15 Km. from Ernakulam Railway Station, and 16Km.from Ernakulam KSRTC Bus Stand (Govt.bus stand).
Kumbalangy is surrounded by backwaters. A ring of Chinese fishing nets literally encircle the island-village bearing witness to the rich aquatic life. An array of mangroves separate land from water providing a breeding ground for prawns, crabs, oysters and small fishes. The village which is 16 Sq.Km .in area is home to fishermen, farmers, labourers, toddy tappers and coir spinners all alike.
Another occupation thats seen quite a revival recently is that of boatmen. The village is well connected by road to the mainland, and the local community do not patronize them very much. However, from the tourist point of view, their contributions matter.Travellers are keen on cruises and these localites are employed in ferrying passengers. Fisher folk and boatmen also demonstrate various fishing techniques for the tourists.
Under the Kumbalangi project, Kalagramam, an artists village, is being set up. The initial plans were to erect a cottage in the middle of the backwaters. Later, the panchayat members, tourism secretary and the tourism minister agreed that this would disturb the backwater ecology. Kalagramam, therefore, will now stand on four acres of land inside Kumbalangi. It will showcase the traditional fishing equipment and handicrafts of the region.
