UP government to back first Jain Circuit in Varanasi

State tourism minister Om Prakash Singh announced state government's support in developing the first-ever Jain circuit in Varanasi. He said that chief minister Akhilesh Yadav would soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for development of a Jain circuit in Varanasi on public private partnership (PPP) model with a trust.

The Jain circuit at Sarnath, one of the most revered place for Buddhists and also one of the key tourism sites, is going to be developed on PPP model on the initiative of Sri Jain Shwetambar Tirth Society (SJSTS) which would coordinate development projects in the circuit. Seth Anandji Kalyanji Trust of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, would develop the Jain circuit in the ancient temple town and its adjoining areas. The trust would offer financial assistance of around Rs. 500 crore. In UP, the circuit would cover Varanasi, Kaushambi, Shravasti and Kushinagar.

Telangana plans tribal tourism

The Telangana tourism department plans a tribal circuit covering Laknavaram, Mulugu, Tadvai and Oorattum areas. This is aimed at attracting tourists interested in experiential tourism.

This type of tourism is popular with foreign tourists who often travel to know more about local cultures. “The tribal circuit in Telangana will be developed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme at a cost of Rs 96.67 crore. The proposal iscurrently with the Ministry of Tourism,” an official said.

Forming the Basohli tourism development authority in Kathua

With an aim to tap the tourism and heritage potential of the historic Basohli town, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed today issued directions for setting up a separate tourism development authority for Jammu and Kashmir's southern gateway.

Announcing a new tourism development authority for Basohli in Kathua district, Sayeed said the town needs to be brought on the tourism map of the country. He also directed the Chief Secretary to speed up procedural processes for setting up the development authority.

He also indicated that the Tourism Department is making a concept plan for setting up a mega amusement park to promote it as a major tourist destination, catering to neighbouring states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

Assuring promotion of exquisite arts and crafts of Basohli, in particular Basohli paintings, the Chief Minister announced setting up of a skill development institute to expose craftsmen to new trends and design.

Project to beautify ghats, clean Ganga soon: Tourism Minister

The UP state tourism department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to maintain various dilapidated building, monuments and heritage sites in the state.

All tourism motels en-route important towns of Ghaziabad, Garh, Agra, Lucknow and Varanasi will be renovated with modern facilities.

In remote districts the tourist complexes will be leased out for their upkeep and betterment, said secretary and director general of state tourism department Amrit Abhijaat. He said that all the historical buildings, monuments and sites being maintained by ASI will be repaired soon.

The state government has agreed to pay the maintenance cost for the conservation of ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance. "As and when ASI will ask finance for the maintenance work the state government will remit the amount immediately," he said.

Tourism department will also construct a Mughal Museum in 5.29 acres of land near Taj Mahal in Agra on international pattern that will cost around 130 crores rupees. The museum will exhibit dresses and life styles of various mughal emperors and other historical things of the medieval period.

For the facility of tourists from abroad the department is considering construction of a Taj orientation centre in which audio-visual facilities, food courts and toilets will be available, the official added.

Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department to organise 8-day Festival at Leh

As part of its efforts to attract tourists, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism department plans to organise an eight-day festival later this month at Leh to showcase the rich heritage of Ladakh region.

"The Ladakh festival will commence on September 20 and conclude on the World Tourism day on September 27," an official spokesman said after a meeting chaired by Secretary (Tourism), Farooq Ahmad Shah in Srinagar.
The spokesman said the meeting was convened to review the arrangements for the festival being organised by the Tourism department.

Apart from showcasing the tourism products of Ladakh region, the festival would also witness handicrafts, Thangka and photo exhibitions, musical concert, Polo matches and ethnic food.

Chief Executive Officer of Leh has been designated as the Nodal Officer for the event, the spokesman added.

Uttar Pradesh explores feasibility of orchard tourism

Uttar Pradesh Tourism department is exploring possibility of introducing orchard tourism in the state, to give visitors a chance to explore country life during the harvest season. Many hill states, besides Gujarat and Maharashtra are already offering such packages.

The government is working on formulating a policy to encourage farmers and land owners to build small hotels in the orchards and green areas where tourists can stay on a bed-and-breakfast deal. The government would provide external amenities like road, power supply and drainage system to aid the facilities.

"If integrated with Lucknow's architectural heritage, cuisine and tradition of dance and music, this package can work very well," said Prateek Hira, an international tour operator in city. He added that mango festivals can blend well with the concept.

UP Tourism director general Amrit Abhijat claimed the department has identified several spots in western districts, Terai region, Bundelkhand and Avadh (Lucknow-Faizabad region) for the purpose. "A feasibility study will begin shortly," he said.

Officials in tourism department said mango orchards in UP attract a lot of people and they can be drawn to the farms once the facilities come up. Notably, UP's mango belt spans over 4 lakh hectare area in north and central UP.

Single-window clearance of tourism investments in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh will consider all tourism investments in the state as industrial ventures and will offer single-window clearance, informed N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He was speaking at a meeting that he chaired to finalise the state’s tourism policy. Andhra Pradesh will also look at setting up dedicated police stations for tourists, and a round-the-clock call centre for tourists in the state.

The Chief Minister said that tourism projects would be treated as industrial ventures and single-desk clearances would be granted to them within 21 days. The Naidu also assured special tariff for power usage for tourism projects. Suggesting the department to focus on attracting international tourists, Naidu told the officials to get tourist operators on board and work with them.

The state will explore opportunities in water sports, Beach Tourism, Spiritual Tourism, Ecotourism, Caravan Tourism,  and Heli-Tourism. Emphasising on the need to promote Telugu culture, he suggested that Kuchipudi and other local and tribal art forms, and dances be promoted through various carnivals on a large scale.

TSTDC to start boating point at Nagarjunasagar

To tap the tourism potential of Nagarjunasagar, Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) has decided to operate boats from the left bank side by constructing jettis to station boats and purchasing new boats.

The existing launch station, which was having 5 launches, had gone to Andhra Pradesh during the division of the State. Since major tourist spots like Ethipotala, Anupu, boating point and others are located on the right side of the largest masonry dam, the tourists coming from Hyderabad side are straightaway proceeding towards the right bank while the hotels and other business establishments located on the left bank have been receiving less number of tourists post division.

Since the boating point used to generate about Rs. 2 crore revenue annually, the loss to AP has affected the TSTDC’s revenue in Sagar considerably. Following this, the tourism officials at Nagarjunasagar had sent proposals to the State government requesting it to construct a new boating point to operate boats to Nandikonda.

Subsequently, Executive Chairman of TSTDC, G. Kishan Rao visited Nagarjunasagar a fortnight ago to finalise the project after discussing with irrigation and tourism officials. Tenders for the Rs 1.18 crore project were issued which were bagged by Parvathi Constructions a few days ago. The contractor has to construct three jettis to station the boats. The width of each jetti would be 7 metres and length 20 metres.

Divisional Tourism Officer K. Venkateshwarlu said most probably the jettis will be constructed at the crocodile zone. Since the location falls under Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR), he said the State government has sent a letter to the concerned officials seeking permission. Earlier officials had operated boats from earth dam on left bank canal, the location also in discussion for construction of jetties. Currently, the AP launch station was having five boats which was bought at Rs. 1 crore each.

Mr. Venakteshwarlu said the Telangana government is preparing to purchase three such boats which were not yet finalised. Since a majority of tourists to Nagarjunasagar were coming from Hyderabad, the tourism officials said that the Telangana side launch station will tap a majority of the revenue.

Government planning to construct jetties at left bank side and purchase three boats