Previously called 'Dream City', project ‘Sarovaram’ is a prestigious 15 crore eco-tourism scheme of the Malabar region has at last commenced. Various leisure activities such as water sports, cultural village, and adventure tours have been planned as part of the project. 

The chief minister laid stone for the first phase of the project at the ‘Swapana nagari’ of Kozhikode. He made the tourism policy of state clear by saying that "responsible tourism" is the objective of the state government while implementing tourism projects. "It is the endeavor of the government to implement projects in a responsible manner without damaging the ecosystem", he said. 

"The earth soil and all that formed part of nature will be protected at all cost” he said. What chief minister voiced was what the people here have been asking for a long time, a ‘responsible’ tourism culture that not only creates income and employment opportunities but also protects and improves the unique natural balance of the land. Chief Minister also said that the tourism projects would not be allowed to be used just as a profit-making enterprise. "Exploitation of the sector will not be allowed at any cost" he stated.

However the implementation of this decision will need a lot of will power and honesty on the part of the government with a powerful, clever and cunning private sector on the opposite who will leave no stone unturned to see that their intention is implemented. Such restriction is need of the time to see that the natural amenities of the land don’t become private spaces. 

The ‘Sarovarom’ (earlier known as Dream City) scheme is viewed as a corner-stone in the development of eco-tourism in the region (if implemented on time and as is projected at present). The technical and official lag in the transfer of land for the scheme had on many occasions delayed its implementation. The first phase of the project is expected to encompass an area of 50 hectares of  land with 40 acres coming from the Water Resources Department and the rest from Revenue Department . 

The second phase would be implemented with land to be acquired; which is now in private hands. However, the project is viewed with bit unease by the environmentalists considering its proximity to the large expanse of wetland s and mangrove forest in the city along the eastern banks of the Canoly Canal and the Nadungatoor villages. In any case, the project officials have assured the public that all these environmental concerns have been taken seriously and that they will come up with a good solution. 

The first phase of the ‘savoraram’ project is expected to be completed by May, in time for the anniversary celebration of the LDF government. The project when completed, is expected to be a show-piece in eco-tourism with the deepening of wetlands, conservation of the birds habitats in the vast expense of mangrove forest and gardens for relaxation. The islets dotting the water bodies here are planned to be connected with wooden bridges. The green belt created in the heart of the city would also have facilities for boating and would be free from garbage.  

The Urangal Labour society, payolli, is implementing the scheme for which the proposal was mooted more than 15 years ago. The delay in acquiring the land under two departments was the main impediment in the dream city project now called ‘Sarovaram’ meaning ‘idyllic lake’