It's a matter of the heart, a vague nostalgia for a city of long ago. Time was when a deliciously peaceful canal network linked Ernakulam with the adjoining areas. About carrying coconuts and fish and other provisions that an undemanding and simple community might need, quietly wound its way into a small rectangular harbour, which made up the market place. It throbbed with activity as a social hub of the township. And then kettuvallam brings in vegetables fruits from far and near gardens.is still around. Over the years, many factors sounded its death knell with one of them being the advent of road transportation but the harbour still exists with its bygone means of water transort..

Somewhere close to bustling Broadway, it lies hidden beneath a pile of beautiful shops. While it is nobody's case that the old hustle and bustle be revived., it is a fact that the erstwhile market is still a dynamic public place which was in the history of Kochi and constitutes the city's natural heritage. Surely it can be put on an earnest visitor's 'to do' list, of course along with the backwaters and coconut lagoons.

The Ernakulam Heritage Zone is the latest to add on to the value of Kochi. From Foreshore Road to the High Court, through Broadway and Ernakulam it is clean. The canals and heritage structures are closelyguarded by the buildings between. Also on the list is the waterfront areas of commercial activities.

In Cochin heritage buildings, heritage precincts and natural features are in abundance. The Kochi's links with the past are dynamic. The historically rich areas of Edappaly, Tripunithurra and Vytilla will beckon all for a wandering through temples, churches Palaces, and virgin villages. Only a society that is deeply rooted in its moorings can grow. There's a distinct growth in the study and understanding of Malayalam literature and arts by the present generation. This trend is being turned around so that it's not lost forever.

Kochi is a goldmine of contrasting cultures that have lived and thrived in relative harmony. The city's huge potential could easily found itself on UNESCO's list of world heritage towns. Conservation through people's participation and holistic approach that is what has made this possible. Kochi's is a heritage monument-related tourism with towns and cities to showcase. It is the success story of vital involvement of people. They became cautioned against vandalism, forcible occupation and demolition of age-old structures. Cultural heritage is protected here by the changing socio economic conditions prevailing in society. Citizens are aware of their rich heritage their contribution is a lot more because projects concern them and take place in public areas, sections of the city that are used by them.

The quality of life of the ordinary citizen is improved, by fulfilling some of his basic requirements that any civic society would necessarily provide, unsoiled surroundings, better roads, clean drinking water. Tourism here is taking care of itself. It has happened, took root, grew and like how, logically sound and so reasonable. Everyone is contented. Even as conservation and tourism have their own compartmentalized roles, conservation attracted tourism. Today tourists experience and soak in the unique flavour of the city.

Freshly white-washed and renovated structures do beckon as readily as an opportunity to partake a slice from the city's everyday life, A slow boat ride as it glides across the tranquil backwaters, a stopover at a brand-new boat jetty that captures the stereotypical lifestyle of a local populace. Now that is natural heritage.