The company has invited expressions of interest (EoI) from reputed consultants with substantial experience in preparing detailed project report (DPR) for eco-tourism, sources said, and is exploring the possibility of a joint venture for the project.
The company owns 49 bungalows, a 35-room guest house, a 50-bed hospital and many other staff quarters at Kudremukh, about 110 km from Mangalore. Most of these properties have been empty since the company stopped mining. Eco-tourism is being considered as one way to keep these properties in good condition and earn some income.
"Once the detailed project report is prepared, we will know exactly what to do and how much to invest in tourism activities. The report will be ready in about six months," they said.
KIOCL is also interested in partnering Karnataka government- owned Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR) which has 25 years of experience in eco-tourism in that state.
"We have already held discussions with JLR for a possible joint venture with them to partly manage our properties. We will finalise the deal after the DPR is prepared," a company official told Business Standard.
Kudremukh Iron Ore Company has around 1,200 hectares of revenue land in its possession near a national park in the Western Ghat region. The forest department currently allows the area to be used for treks and the company proposes to develop its properties to promote trekking, bird watching among other eco-tourism activities.
"We will have a memorandum of understanding with the Karnataka government to allow tourists to go on trekking in the protected national park accompanied by forest guards," the sources added.
Sources also said KIOC is also looking at setting up an ayurvedic spa in Kudremukh and is in talks with several ayurveda resorts. The company has already developed a herbal garden in the area.
