A New Face for Responsible Tourism
Kerala's tourism department has begun deploying 'Green Marshals' at key tourist destinations in a significant push for sustainable and responsible travel. This initiative, announced as part of the state budget, creates a visitor-friendly environmental
stewardship cadre to tackle persistent issues like littering, waste management, and visitor discipline. These marshals are not police but trained representatives of Kerala Tourism, tasked with making the state's top destinations cleaner, safer, and more environmentally sound. In the first phase, 162 marshals will be deployed across major hubs like Munnar, Alappuzha, Kovalam, and Wayanad. The program is designed to transform destination management from a reactive clean-up model to one of proactive care and guidance.
More Than Just Enforcement
The primary role of a Green Marshal is to be an approachable guide for tourists. Their responsibilities are diverse, focusing on engagement rather than just enforcement. They are in charge of monitoring compliance with the state's 'Green Protocol,' which includes curbing the use of plastics and ensuring proper waste disposal. Beyond this, they will provide visitors with orientation, share local information, and promote responsible travel habits. This includes monitoring for risky behaviour, offering basic emergency assistance, and coordinating with existing cleaning crews to maintain destination hygiene. A key part of their role is also to create a link to the local community by promoting area homestays, eco-friendly businesses, and regional crafts, ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism are shared.
The Bigger Picture: A Sustainable Mission
The Green Marshal program is a flagship component of Kerala's broader Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission, which aims to make tourism a tool for local community development and poverty eradication. This mission has been central to Kerala's tourism policy, focusing on maximising economic, social, and environmental benefits while minimising negative impacts. The initiative addresses long-standing complaints about waste accumulation and inadequate visitor management that have challenged some of the state's most beautiful locations. By promoting practices like scientific waste management and reducing plastic use, the state hopes to solidify its reputation as a leading sustainable tourism destination. The Green Marshals are the visible, on-ground ambassadors of this comprehensive strategy.
What This Means for Tourists
For visitors, the presence of Green Marshals promises a smoother and more conscious travel experience. Instead of navigating confusing rules or contributing to environmental strain unknowingly, tourists will have a friendly face to turn to for guidance. Marshals, wearing a distinctive forest-green and white uniform, will be present at entry-point kiosks to introduce themselves and their role. This initiative also has a strong focus on empowerment, with a dual aim of enhancing safety for women tourists and providing employment opportunities. The program is open to men and women between 20 and 40 with a degree in tourism, with preference given to local residents and existing community staff from groups like Kudumbashree. After a seven-day training program, they emerge ready to help tourists interact with Kerala's stunning landscapes in a way that preserves them for future generations.
