Synopsis S9 B

MARIAN COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING – THESIS 2022
THESIS SYNOPSIS
Student Name: Gopika Thilak Year: 2017-22
TOPIC:
RESHAPING THE GOLDEN ISLAND AND ITS PREMISES TO AN
ECO TOURISM HUB
Source: (https://www.google.com/search?q=ponnumthuruthu+island&rlz=1C1ONGR_enIN943IN943&sxsrf=APq-
WBsTKwG_1SDRpTKLVe76cDYckonNfg:1643532409078&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjmpa2ri9n1AhXRTWwGHWmFBXU
Q_AUoAnoECAIQBA&biw=1536&bih=696&dpr=1.25)
OVERVIEW: Varkala, a coastal town, situated at a distance of about 50 km north of

Thiruvananthapuram and 37 km south of Kollam city is one of the important religious and tourist
destinations in Kerala. Varkala has a huge tourism potential and needs tourism circuit to connect
nearby areas. As a part of making Varkala a tourist’s paradise, lot of areas are under development.
The Golden Island is one of the most beautiful places in Varkala and is not much known to anyone.
Ponnumthuruthu, also known as Golden Island is 20 km from Varkala, natives say that the queens
of Travancore Royal Family used to hide their cache of gold and ornaments on the island in order to
keep it safe and hence it obtained the name, “Ponnumthuruthu”. The place is the home of many
birds like cormorants, egrets and herons, eagles and gulls. Various water birds too can be seen here.
The mainland on the other side of Ponnumthuruthu is a coir village. There is a small coir-making unit
near the ferry. This lush island is a perfect getaway for those who seek a break from the hustle and
bustle of the urban life. This island is known for the Shiva Parvathi temple, which is also called
`Thuruthu kshethram’ by the natives. The temple is situated amidst thick coconut groves, which has
grown over the entire stretch. The temple is more than 100 years old and the entire island is temple
property. The temple was in ruins for a long time but about a decade ago, it was rebuilt.
Valiyapurackal family owns the island and the temple.
Sivarathri and Nagapanchmi are the major festival celebrated at the temple. It is this festival that
makes it alive otherwise less frequented.
“In the golden island there lies immense ecological beauty and history that the place holds
which is left under explored and under-utilized. Thus, the island has the potential to be
developed as a tourist destination which would in turn help to flourish the livelihood of the
surrounding community. “
SITE DETAILS:
• Location:
VARKALA
PONNUMTHURUTH ISLAND
AJENGO
• Location: Ponnumthuruth island, Varkala

• Site area: Rural

• Ownership: Private
• Site plan:
C
B
A D
F
E
PONNUMTHURUTH ISLAND AND

ITS PREMISE SITES
AIM: Reshaping the Golden Island and its premises as the eco-tourism destination and integrate the
needs of local community and improve the quality of life with least interference in the natural
environment.
OBJECTIVES:
• Environmental Conservation -
Protection and conservation of the land as it is ecologically vulnerable one.
• Community Participation and Empowerment of the community -
Inclusion of the local community in tourism.
• Cultural Preservation -
Rejuvenation of ethnicity of the culture, traditions and heritage in the field of traditional art forms &
crafts.
RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY/ PROJECT: Hypothetical project
As there is a proposal for the Golden Island, to transform it as a tourism destination as it is unknown
to most of the people. Tourism at Golden Island can flourish because of its historical importance
with presence of flora and fauna. The access to the place could be strengthened by promoting
backwaters boating. The surrounding area has immense developmental potential for tourism. The
beauty of the backwater, local traditions and culture can be experienced.
“The site I would like to intervene are private properties and are environmentally sensitive and
have cultural and historical background which proves the potential of the site.”
• The site is a part of varkala tourism development circuit.

• As it is a costal area the possibility of tourism is high. Visited by lakhs of foreign and
domestic tourists / pilgrims regularly as well as during the special occasions both from India
and abroad.
• In view of Vakala’s enormous tourist potential, the Government of Kerala has initiated
integrated development of this area through a number of infrastructure development
projects for meeting the requirement of making Varkala a tourists’ paradise, both for the
domestic and foreign tourists. The site is a part of it.
• Accessibility: connected by roads, railways and the airways. The National Highway NH-47
connecting Kollam to Kanyakumari passes nearby. Rail connectivity is provided by Southern
Railways in this region. The international airport of Thiruvananthapuram is only 55 km which
is linked by NH-47.
• There is 360-degree view from the island which encourages the views and vistas.
EXPECTED ARCHITECTURAL OUTPUT:
STRATEGIES:
1. Conserving the ecological aspects that the site has as it is an ecologically vulnerable one.
2. Improving the quality of life of the local people through related activities in terms of
employment, entrepreneurship and informal activities, marginal jobs/low wages from
tourism sector.
3. Protecting the Flora-Fauna of the place.
4. Creating, Exhibiting and Marketing the art and craft of the local people.
5. Encourage the recreational activities.
6. Providing the opportunity for the tourists to enjoy the views and vistas.
7. Creating 360-degree view points to fully take advantage of the geological beauty that the.
Built spaces:
Art and craft centre
Exhibition halls
Art and Craft Street (small street shop vendors who sell authentic Kerala traditional art and craft
goods}
View towers
Cafeterias
Staycation for the tourist
Library
Eco club (generate awareness among the tourist as well as the native people about the site
condition as it is a vulnerable one.
Boat jetty
Recreational hubs
Un-Built spaces:
Parks, Landscapes, water recreation spots, oat, Protected green area exclusively for the birds
there.
METHODOLOGY:
LIMITATIONS: (The site is under CRZ, wet land, ECO- Sensitive area, private property)
CASE STUDIES:
1. Eco Tourism complex, New Delhi, India

Tourism destination at two sites, Chhawla (3 acres) & Kanganheri (12 acres) and the intervening
water canal in New Delhi, India.
Both the sites had unique natural attributes, such as a dense tree cover and an indigenous bird
population that offered immense opportunity for the development as a destination for ecotourism.
Focused on environment friendly leisure activities like soft adventure recreations for children,
naturopathy and healing for older people & live demonstrations of arts & crafts.
2. Thenmala Eco tourism

Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society (TEPS) is an organization under the administrative control
of the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. Thenmala an ecotourism destination is an
ideal location for vacation seekers. Thenmala is a small village situated in the foothills of western
ghats in Kollam district.
LITERATURE STUDY:
1. Adayar Eco Park

2. Sasseur Ecotourist village China
3. Bamboo Craft Village / Archi-Union Architects China
KEYWORDS: Eco-friendly

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MARIAN COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING – THESIS 2022

Student Name: Gopika Thilak Year: 2017-22

OVERVIEW: Varkala, a coastal town, situated at a distance of about 50 km north of

• Location: Ponnumthuruth island, Varkala

• Site area: Rural

PONNUMTHURUTH ISLAND AND

Protection and conservation of the land as it is ecologically vulnerable one.

• Community Participation and Empowerment of the community -

Inclusion of the local community in tourism.

RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY/ PROJECT: Hypothetical project

• The site is a part of varkala tourism development circuit.

EXPECTED ARCHITECTURAL OUTPUT:

Art and craft centre

Staycation for the tourist

1. Eco Tourism complex, New Delhi, India

2. Thenmala Eco tourism

1. Adayar Eco Park

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