Matsyagandha Lake, Saharsa. Photo credit: Unsplash/@astrayyouth
New Delhi: The Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa, and the Karamchat Eco-tourism and Adventure hub in Kaimur district, figure among 40 projects to be developed as a global tourist destination.
The Union Tourism Ministry approved these 40 lesser-known tourism sites in 23 states of India, which would be developed at Rs. 3295.76 crore, to enhance the overall tourism experience, boost local economies, and ensure sustainable growth in the tourism sector through a strategic approach to new project selection. The Ministry’s initiative aims to ease pressure on high-traffic sites and promote a more balanced distribution of tourists across India.
The Ministry said the government investment in the project will act as a catalyst, stimulating economic growth and creating jobs.
By leveraging private sector expertise and capital at destinations, the states can enhance public infrastructure, improve local amenities, and attract more tourists, ultimately boosting the regional economy and fostering long-term development.
The Ministry stated it is also emphasising community-based tourism that empowers local populations and preserves cultural heritage.
“By integrating sustainable practices into tourism planning, State Governments will be able to ensure long-term growth while safeguarding natural and cultural resources by adopting best practices.,” the Ministry stated. It informed that it is also encouraging state governments to integrate advanced technologies into their tourism projects.
By adopting technology, states can streamline operations, optimize tourist flow, and provide sustainable, innovative solutions for growth in the sector, it said.
It may be mentioned that under the Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme of the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, the operational guidelines to develop iconic tourist centres on a global scale were issued by the Ministry of Tourism. This scheme aims to infuse long-term interest-free loans for a period of 50 years to states to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding, and marketing them on a global scale.
By infusing capital investment in the form of projects, the scheme further envisages the growth of the local economy and the creation of employment opportunities through sustainable tourism projects. The States have been given a timeline of 2 years for completing the projects.
In line with these guidelines, the Tourism Ministry shortlisted the 40 projects across 23 States for Rs. 3295.76 crore, sanctioned by the Department of Expenditure.
– global bihari bureau
