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.