The world is increasingly turning towards Kerala for its 5000-year-old system of medicine, Ayurveda. Popular among the international and domestic tourists alike, this traditional health care system of Kerala, most effective during the monsoon time has transformed Kerala into a land for all seasons. The growing demand for this product has necessitated the emergence of more centres with outstanding facilities and excellent standards. The State Government, on its part assists and encourages promoters of Ayurvedic health holidays who maintain stringent quality standards by offering attractive subsidies and incentives.
The Government has prescribed certain standards for ensuring the quality of all Ayurvedic centres and strict appraisal is maintained for approval of these centres. The Director, Kerala Tourism will, unless refused, issue a classification certificate to the Ayurveda centre on the recommendation of a committee after inspection. The committee will specify the health programmes to be offered in each centre, after considering their facilities. Ayurveda centres fulfilling all the essential conditions prescribed by the Department of Tourism and the optional conditions mentioned below will be awarded the Green Leaf. Centres fulfilling only the essential conditions will be awarded the Olive Leaf.
Essential conditions for classification of Ayurveda Centres
Personnel:
- Treatment/therapy should be done only under the supervision of a qualified physician with a recognised degree in Ayurveda.
- There should be at least two masseurs (one male and one female) having sufficient training from recognised Ayurveda institutions.
- Male masseurs will attend to the male patients and female masseurs to female patients.
Quality of medicine and health programmes:
- The centre will offer only those programmes, which are approved by the approval committee.
- Health programmes offered at the centre should be clearly exhibited. The time taken for massages and treatment should be stated. The general approved time limit for a massage is 45 minutes.
- The medicine used should be from an approved and reputed firm. The medicines should be labelled and exhibited at the Ayurveda centre.
Equipment:
- One massage table of minimum size 7 ft. x 3 ft. in each treatment room, made up of good quality wood/fibre glass.
- Gas or electric stove.
- Medicated hot water facility for bathing and other purposes.
- Facilities for sterilisation.
- Equipment and apparatus should be clean and hygienic.
Facilities:
- A minimum number of two treatment rooms (one for men and one for women) having a mimimum size of 100 sq.ft (width not less than 8 ft.) The rooms should have good ventilation. There should be an attached bathroom, of size not less than 20 sq.ft. The toilets should have proper sanitary fittings and floors and walls should be furnished with tiles.
- One consultation room with a minimum size of 100 sq.ft. (width not less than 8 ft.). The room should be well equipped with medical instruments, like BP apparatus, stethoscope, an examination couch, weighing machine etc.
- There should be a separate rest room (minimum size 100 sq.ft., width not less than 8 ft.), if the centre is not attached to a hotel/resort/hospital.
- General infrastructure of the Ayurveda centre should be good. Locality and ambience, including accessibility, should be suitable. Furnishing should be of good quality. The centre and surrounding premises should be kept clean and hygienic.
Optional conditions for classification
Ayurveda centres will be awarded the Green Leaf on fulfilment of the optional conditions mentioned below:
- The general construction, architectural features etc. of the building should be of very high standards. The furnishings, curtains, fittings etc. should be of superior quality materials.
- There should be adequate parking space in the premises.
- The bathroom should have facilities for steam bath.
The following are the additional desirable conditions for centres seeking the Green Leaf:
- There should be a separate hall for meditation/yoga.
- The centres should be located in picturesque locations with a serene ambience.
- There should be a herbal garden attached to the centre.
Application procedure
Your application should be submitted along with all necessary enclosures in the prescribed format available at the Directorate of Tourism, accompanied by a non-refundable fee of Rs. 2500/-in the form of a Demand Draft favouring the Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.
Incentives & Supports
- Ayurveda centres, which have been classified/approved by the Government of Kerala, will be eligible for financial concessions/incentives
- Investment subsidy up to 10% subject to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakhs
- Support to avail loans from state financial corporations
- Concession in electricity charges
- Guidance and publicity support from the State Government
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