Kumbalangi village in Cochin is all set to become India’s first sanitary-napkin-free panchayat.

Key Points

• The village has previously won acclaim as India’s first model tourism village.
• This move is a part of ‘Avalkayi’ initiative, which is being implemented in the Ernakulam parliamentary constituency, in association with “Thingal Scheme” of HLL Management Academy’s and Indian Oil Corporation.

Avalkayi Initiative

Under this initiative, menstrual cups will be distributed to women aged 18 and above in Kumbalangi village. 5000 menstrual cups will be distributed under it.

Model Village

In the same event, Governor will also declare Kumbalangi village as a model village. The model village project is implemented as a part of ‘Pradhan Mantri Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (PM-SAGY)’. A new tourist information center will also be set up in the village.

About Kumbalangi

Kumbalangi is an island village, located in the outskirts of Kochi city of Kerala. It is a major tourist attraction and is famous for the Chinese fishing nets. It is situated amidst backwaters, about 12 km from the city center. The village is also the first eco-tourism village in India. The village is having an area of 16 km2 and is located about 15 km from Ernakulam Junction railway station. Cochin International Airport is around 40 kms from it.