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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}} | {{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}} | ||
'''Babu Varghese''' ( | '''Babu Varghese''' (28 January 1951, Kerala, India – 18 October 2011) helped to make the South [[India]]n state of [[Kerala]], and in particular the image of [[houseboats]] on the [[Kerala backwaters]], a notable tourist destination.<ref name=YourTravelChoice>[http://www.yourtravelchoice.org/2011/10/in-memory-of-babu-varghese-an-ecotourism-pioneer-and-eco-design-innovator YourTravelChoice: In Memory of Babu Varghese: An Ecotourism Pioneer and Eco-design Innovator] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031135422/http://www.yourtravelchoice.org/2011/10/in-memory-of-babu-varghese-an-ecotourism-pioneer-and-eco-design-innovator/ |date=2011-10-31 }}</ref> | ||
==Life== | ==Life== | ||
Varghese took a master's degree in | Varghese took a master's degree in zoology and behavioral science.<ref name=YourTravelChoice /> His personal interest was in the nature of Kerala. | ||
==Tourism in Kerala== | ==Tourism in Kerala== | ||
[[File:Kettuvallam Houseboat.jpg|thumb|300px|A ''Kettuvallam'' houseboat in [[Kerala]], India]] | [[File:Kettuvallam Houseboat.jpg|thumb|300px|A ''Kettuvallam'' houseboat in [[Kerala]], India]] | ||
Varghese's most important contribution to the field of tourism in Kerala is perhaps the conversion of the traditional ''Kettuvallam'' rice boat into a touring and cruising houseboat. This helped to rescue the then declining industry of boating, boat building and artisans working with bamboo. To date (2017) there are more than | Varghese's most important contribution to the field of tourism in Kerala is perhaps the conversion of the traditional ''Kettuvallam'' rice boat into a touring and cruising houseboat. This helped to rescue the then declining industry of boating, boat building and artisans working with bamboo. To date (2017) there are more than three thousand tour boats that ply the backwaters of Kerala.<ref>[http://e7v.net/the-ecoclub-interview-with-babu-varghese-director-tourindia/ TourIndia: Babu Varghese]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The popular symbol of Kerala is a houseboat mainly because of Varghese.<ref name=YourTravelChoice /> | ||
His research on back water tourism started early eighties with an elaborate study on the navigable canals from Varkala through Ernakulam. He met revenue officers from five central Kerala districts to collect the litho maps of the regions. Made many voyages through these canals during low and high tides to decide the height of the proposed House boats to pass under the numerous bridges en route. | His research on back water tourism started early eighties with an elaborate study on the navigable canals from Varkala through Ernakulam. He met revenue officers from five central Kerala districts to collect the litho maps of the regions. Made many voyages through these canals during low and high tides to decide the height of the proposed House boats to pass under the numerous bridges en route. | ||
He met Mannasseril Padmanabhan from Alumkadav, near to Karunagappally, a doyan carpenter who excelled in country boat making. Both burned the midnight oil to design the modern house boat. It was a long cherished dream came true. | He met Mannasseril Padmanabhan from Alumkadav, near to Karunagappally, a doyan carpenter who excelled in country boat making. Both burned the midnight oil to design the modern house boat. It was a long cherished dream came true. | ||
Babu Varghese is detailed in the travelogue | Babu Varghese is detailed in the travelogue ''Chasing the Monsoon'' written by [[Alexander Frater]], the Travel Correspondent of ''[[The Observer]]'', London. | ||
Varghese introduced Tree-houses into Kerala tourism by co-opting the help of local tribes and using their expertise.<ref>[http://www.unusual-travel-destinations.com/tree-house-resort.html Tree Houses in Kerala]</ref> Converted ''Eru-madoms'', traditional tribal treetop dwellings such as at [[Wayanad]], have become tourist destinations.<ref name=YourTravelChoice /> | Varghese introduced Tree-houses into Kerala tourism by co-opting the help of local tribes and using their expertise.<ref>[http://www.unusual-travel-destinations.com/tree-house-resort.html Tree Houses in Kerala]</ref> Converted ''Eru-madoms'', traditional tribal treetop dwellings such as at [[Wayanad]], have become tourist destinations.<ref name=YourTravelChoice /> | ||
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== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
* [[ | * {{cite book |last=Frater |first=Alexander |author-link=Alexander Frater |date=1991 |title=Chasing the Monsoon |edition=1st American |location=New York |publisher=[[Knopf]] |isbn=0394583108 |oclc=23255057 |url=https://archive.org/details/chasingmonsoon0000frat |url-access=registration}} | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* [ | * [https://ecoclub.com/news/097/interview2.html EcoClub Interview with Babu Varghese] | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Varghese, Babu}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Varghese, Babu}} | ||