Raipur: Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, under the aegis of the state government, has come up with future tourism plans that will help establish the state as India’s biggest Ecotourism hub. The Board’s focus is to increase tourist footfall from 1.5 million in 2012 to nearly three million by 2015, said Santosh K Misra, Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board.
The State Tourism Board has received Rs 113.5 crore project prioritisation from the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India, as per a release. The project aims to showcase Gangrel Dam, the largest water body in Chhattisgarh, as a mega destination; promote Sirpur- Kodar-Raipur-Tandula as a Ecotourism circuit; create convention centres, develop niche segments of Camping and Caravan Tourism at important destinations; develop wayside amenities; organise light and sound shows at the sixth century archaeological site of Sirpur and at Bhoramdeo, popularly known as Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh; and focus on Rural Tourism and promote fairs and festivals.
Misra said, “Our aim is to develop Chhattisgarh as India’s biggest Ecotourism hub. Thus enhanced tourism by ways of earmarked plans will enable us develop tourism in the state in a never-seen-before magnitude. With our future venture, we seek to see greater participation of the local community. By strengthening tourism through organised and responsible decisions, our aim is to empower the region and showcase it in a positive light to the world.”
The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board aims to frame a plan focused on the infrastructure of the state that will nurture the fragile eco-system, the release adds. The state plans substantial Ecotourism circuits that will help the Board in strategic development, and also facilitate preservation of the environment. These policies will encourage participation of local communities in conserving the cultural heritage, while contributing to the wildlife and religious circuits that will be interconnected in order to create a loop of geographical circuits.
Ajay Chandrakar, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Government of Chhattisgarh, said, “Chhattisgarh is a vibrant state, which now looks forward to developing tourism as one of its assets. Based on quality plans and forward-looking measures, our aim is to take Chhattisgarh tourism to millions of national and international tourists. We have already been conferred with the National Tourism Award 2012-13 for the publication of best tourism literature, which we seek to make a common achievement every year by creating more tourism-oriented schemes. We aim to establish Chhattisgarh as the top tourist destination in the country.”
