Tourist visitation trends have been erratic over the years, varying between 55,000 (1994) and 140,000. The number of domestic tourists has increased markedly over the years. However, because the tourism growth was unplanned, commercial establishments and tourist visitations grew without a concomitant expansion of water and sanitation infrastructure. Wetlands and even ponds, such as the Thampuran Kulam were filled up and built upon.
Restaurants and hotels installed septic tanks for their sewage. This led to extensive groundwater contamination particularly in the foothills and low-lying areas. Kuthira Kulam, a freshwater pond, had to be abandoned because of contamination. Around the same time, open wells were being abandoned or restricted for purposes other than drinking. Only one pond, the Vaikol Kulam which is protected by concrete walls, remains in use today.
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