The Kerala Tourism (Conservation and Preservation of Areas) Act 2005 declares certain areas of the state as Special Tourism Zones (STZs) and details the method of developing those areas. In this paper, we have critiqued the Act and the reasons why we believe the State Legislators, the State Planning Commission, members of Local Self Governing bodies and the Tourism Department should call for a renewed debate and amendment of the Act. Some of the concerns with the Act in its present state are: it renders the powers and mandate of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies obsolete by the seizure of power by the State, the functions and powers of the Tourism Conservation and Preservation Committee as constituted by the Act has immunity from democratic and judicial accountability, and most importantly the real danger of how the Act leaves communities choiceless once their area is declared as a Special Tourism Zone (STZ). Publisher: Equitable Tourism Options (EQUATIONS) Contact: [email protected], +91.80.25457607 Visit: www.equitabletourism.org, www.equitabletourism.org/stage/readfull.php?AID=414