DRNew Delhi: Two important projects under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India were inaugurated at PTSO Lake in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday. These projects are Bhalukpong- Bomdila-Tawang Project and Nafra- Seppa- Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys-Sangdupota- New Sagalee- Ziro-Yomcha Project. These projects were jointly inaugurated by K J Alphons, Union Minister of State for Tourism (I/C); Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and Jarkar Gamlin, Minister for Tourism, Arunachal Pradesh. Other important dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Minister Alphons said that the efforts of the Ministry have shown positive results and Foreign Tourist Arrivals in the region have shown an upward trend over the years. The region received a total of 1.69 lakh foreign tourist visits during 2017 as against 1.45 lakh in 2016 registering a growth of 16.7 per cent over 2016. Domestic Tourist Visits reached to 95.47 lakhs in the year 2017 as against 77.71 lakhs registering impressive double digit growth of 22.8 per cent over 2016. The Tourism Minister added that the increased number of tourists in turn has created better employment opportunities for the local population in the region.
The project development of Bhalukpong-Bomdila-Tawang was sanctioned by Ministry of Tourism in March 2015 for Rs. 49.77 crore. Under this project the Ministry has developed facilities like accommodation, cafeteria, wayside amenities, last mile connectivity, pathways, toilets, multipurpose hall at Jang, Sorang Monastery, Lumpo, Zemithang, Bumla Pass, Gritsang TSO lake, PTSO Lake, Thingbu and Grenkha Hot Spring, Lumla, Sela Lake.
The project Development of Nafra- Seppa- Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys-Sangdupota- New Sagalee-Ziro-Yomcha was sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism in December 2015 for Rs. 97.14 crore. The facilities developed under this project include helipad, wayside amenities, trekking trails, rafting centre, log huts, craft bazaar, eco park, tourist facilitation centres, parking, multipurpose hall, festival ground etc.
Development of tourism in the North Eastern Region is a prime area of focus for the Ministry of Tourism. It has taken several initiatives for growth of domestic and international tourism in the region. One of the many challenges the region faces in development of tourism is the absence of quality infrastructure, services and awareness about the array of tourism products region has to offer.
The Ministry is carrying out number of activities to handle the issues. On one hand the Ministry has given great impetus to the tourism infrastructure in the region under its flagship schemes of Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD. For development of Tourism infrastructure, the Ministry has sanctioned 16 projects for Rs. 1349.04 crore covering all North Eastern States under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD. The Ministry is actively working with other Central ministries for development of Tourism in the region.
Swadesh Darshan scheme is one of the flagship schemes of the Ministry of tourism for development of thematic circuits in the country in a planned and prioritised manner. Under this scheme the Government is focussing on development of quality infrastructure in the country with objective of providing better experience and facilities to the visitors on one hand and on other hand fostering the economic growth. The scheme was launched in 2014-15. The Ministry has sanctioned 73 projects worth projects for Rs. 5873.99 crore to 30 states and UTs. Thirty projects/ major components of these projects are expected to be completed this year. Six projects have been inaugurated as on date under the scheme.
For promotion of North East region Ministry carries out special promotion in domestic and international markets highlighting regions diversity, tourism products and its rich culture. The Ministry organizes International Travel Mart every year in one of the North eastern state with objective of providing platform to North Eastern States to showcase their tourism potential to perspective international and domestic buyers and opportunity to interact with them. The Ministry of Tourism has also set up Hotel Managements and Food Craft Institutes for creating skilled manpower in tourism and hospitality sector in the North Eastern Region.
