| Raju Vadakkel, Vadakkel Rubber Nursery, Poovathilappil, Kottayam |
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The name of a rubber nursery is being added to the tourist map of Kerala. The tourists who come to Vadakkel Rubber Nursery, Poovathilappil, Kottayam are likely to be confused by the name board outside, while those who come to buy rubber saplings are likely to be wonderstruck by the tourist attractions inside the 3-acre campus.
It is an unusual rubber nursery that Raju Vadakkel has arranged. He started by constructing a green house for the saplings. Later he added more than 30 fountains that create a dance of water in the small ponds inside the nursery. Another attraction is the collection of sculptures kept in the garden. By the way, water used in fountains is being recycled.
Already there is a large conference room and an open air stadium. Raju plans to convert his nursery into a camp site by providing lodging facilities.
Although a lot of emphasis has been given to tourists in this District Tourism Promotion Council-approved nursery, rubber happens to be the basis and foundation for all. More than 100 workers are engaged in the upkeep of the nursery proper.
Under the aegis of Rubber Board, many rubber farmers from different parts of India visit the nursery. The Rubber Research Institute has chosen this nursery as the venue to celebrate the centenary of commercial cultivation of rubber in India.
Courtesy: Aneesh Anikkad, Malayala Manorama, May 1, 2005
Contributed by: Administrator
