Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 4: The Department of Tourism, A&N Administration, in association with the Department of Environment & Forests and Gram Panchayat, Shoal Bay, is organizing a Mangrove Walk at Shoal Bay on 8th November, 2025 from 8 AM to 10 AM. The Mangrove Walk will provide participants an opportunity to explore the rich flora and fauna of the mangrove ecosystem at Shoal Bay, while serving as a platform to encourage local participants, particularly from nearby areas, to take up eco-guiding as a self-employment opportunity and contribute to the promotion of sustainable tourism in the islands. Experts from the Forest Department will guide participants through the mangrove ecosystem, highlighting its biodiversity and ecological importance.
Participation is limited to 50 persons, with preference given to local youth from the respective zones/areas as part of a self-employment generation initiative. The Department also invites local tour operators, tourism stakeholders, naturalists, environmentalists, and tourists to join the Mangrove Walk on 8th November, 2025 at Shoal Bay. Special arrangement of 01 dedicated bus with the help of Transport Department also done for the said excursion, which will depart from Mohanpura Bus Terminus at 6 AM sharp and is expected to reach Shoal Bay by 8 AM and will back after 1 hour excursion by 10 am.
Interested individuals may submit their applications to the Department of Tourism by 6th November, 2025 positively. Application forms can be obtained from the Manager (Ops), Directorate of IP&T, Sri Vijaya Puram (Contact: 9933255364). The first 50 applicants will be allowed to participate in the first phase of the Mangrove Walk on 8th November, 2025, while the remaining applicants will be accommodated in the next phase as per the approved calendar of events. Certificates to all 50 participants will be issued by the Department of Tourism after successful completion of the excursion on joint recommendation of the experts/ concerned official from Forest Department/Tourism Department & Gram Panchayat, Shoal Bay.