Diverting tsunami funds to tourism?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Funds meant for rebuilding the lives and livelihoods of tsunami-affected communities in Kerala are being diverted to promote tourism sites, land and traditional way of life under threat, according to Tourism Concern, the London-based group for ethical tourism.

The state government has allocated 850 million of federal Tsunami Rehabilitation Program (TRP) money to Kerala Tourism and, in direct contravention of central government guidelines, the 20 projects cover areas that were not hit by the tsunami. The projects, devised before the tsunami, were not implemented because of lack of funds.