World Tourism Day – Chinese Fishing Nets

World Tourism Day was observed across India with much pomp. God’s Own Country – Kerala – also did! Fort Cochin’s Chinese Fishing Nets, believed to have first set up by Chinese traders, are famous all over the world. Tourists and locals alike visit this part of Ernakulam district every day. On this year’s special day, the District Tourism Promotion Council conducted many seminars, exhibitions and campaigns as part of the celebrations. Photographs and artifacts adorned the exhibitions.

As part of the upcoming District project to conserve the nets, a seminar on ‘Conservation of the Chinese Fishing Nets of Fort Kochi’ was also held. The nets will be mechanised and metal parts repaired and replaced. New ones will also be set up along the shores.
It is not enough to just set the nets up or clean the premises, the beach and the nearby areas need a facelift. Welfare of the fishermen and fishing net workers will be taken care of and the Fort Cochin Heritage Zone cleaned well. Live open air dance, theatre and art performances will enliven the evenings in the beach area – tourists will be able to learn about the culture and heritage of Fort Cochin and surrounding towns.

Another idea is to start a guided walking tour from Fort Cochin to Vypeen along the coast – this will definitely give tourists an idea about the lifestyle of fishermen and locals around the shore areas. The DTPC plans to have a deep-sea-fishing tour to be organized in trawlers.