1st November 2017: It has been since decades, some avid agriculturists and dieticians used to promote the benefits of jackfruit and its multi-faceted potential but all was in a vain until the international jackfruit festival at Wayanad was conducted. The festival was conducted to save the popularity of jackfruit and promote its usage. In Kerala, this fruit has a soaring demand and every household used to prepare dishes made from this. But the use of it is low and most of the fruits go wasted. Jackfruit has many potential and will also work as a great natural medicine. Wayanad has taken certain steps to promote its popularity by an international fest conducted 3 months ago. But before this, a non-governmental organisation trust named, Uravu, in Wayanad is conducting jackfruit fest every year since 2006. This initiative is actually an eco-friendly community tourism inviting tourists from various parts. Honeymoon couples and families used to spend their holidays here. It focuses the active participation of families as it is left to the hands of women to promote its benefits by preparing a variety of dishes. Family holiday packages in Kerala are mostly invited here. Some families used to take part in the three-day festival conducted in Uravu. As taking part in Children club of the village, kids can prepare their tasty 'Chaka ice cream' and sell to the visitors. The active tourists from each family can take part in the competition by preparing tasty Chaka dishes to the visitors. In the Uravu fest, more than different recipes of Chaka items were presented thus increasing its popularity. This first jackfruit fest in Uravu has ignited the need to conduct an international festival. Many tour planners have also taken part in the event as a support and bringing their avid travellers especially foreigners to the event. Gogeo holidays ensured their presence by the active participation of their customers. This fest was aiming to give an answer to the 80 percent wastage of the crop every year and exhibiting the benefits of having it and its versatility of cooking. The fest saw nine nationalists who are jackfruit experts along with fruit vendors, scientists, environmentalist, traders and health activities. The event was conducted at regional Agricultural Reseach Center(RAR), Ambalavayal, Wayanad. Visitors who have attended the event have got a chance to taste almost 200 Chaka dishes. It lasted for six days and apart from jackfruit the fest focussed on the supply of quality seedlings, introducing value addition technique, farming, packing and marketing to reach out the slogan of conserving nature.