Thiruvananthapuram: With the Green Palm Certification process scheduled to begin next month and eco-tourism winning applause all over the world, houseboats are on a transformation spree to become more eco-friendly and to meet the requirements of discerning visitors and the Kerala tourism department.

“The certification is in tune with the emphasis on quality and growing global ecological concerns. The accredited houseboats will be given preference in the catalogues and publications of the department,” says Kerala tourism secretary K Balakrishnan. The department hopes that the certification would hasten the exit of fringe players from the scene.

“This will certainly give an edge to those operators who insist on quality. These days, tourists have begun looking for eco-friendly details. They prefer the houseboats to be rowed instead of being propelled by outboard engines,” says Tommy Pulickattil, the proprietor of Pulickattil houseboats.

In order to get the Green Palm Certification the houseboats should meet the requirements of the tourism department. They should provide scientifically designed septic tanks and biochemical tanks to discharge solid wastes and sewage.

Energy sources like solar power should be used for alternative lighting. A system for separating recyclable garbage from non-recyclable ones must also be employed. The disposal of non-biodegradable garbage should be organised in such a manner that the local environment is not harmed.

Moreover, locally available materials must be used for construction. And 75 per cent of workers in these houseboats must be employed from the district of the operator.

Commercial enterprises have chipped in to help. Bharat Petroleum, in collaboration with Surya Auto Gas, Aluva, has launched marine LP gas conversion kits for outboard engines used to propel houseboats. It plans to sell the engine through its distribution network across the state.

“The introduction of this device can help do away with kerosene and petrol completely. It would also give 55-per cent fuel consumption benefit,” says Bharat Petroleum territory manager K Parameswaran.

But the operators are clueless about the ‘scientifically-designed septic tanks and bio-toilets’ specified by the department. “We don’t want to spend money on bio-toilets which could be turned down by the department during inspection,” says an operator.

Some suggest a permanent septic tank in the shore were solid wastes can be deposited by the houseboats as well as the water transport department boats.

But, despite the creaky guidelines and creakier infrastructure, many operators are opting for the Green Palm Certification. With global tourists chanting eco-mantras more rapidly than ever, that seems the only way the houseboats can keep their heads above water.