The Government of India is leaving no stone unturned to promote unique tourism in the country. While we all know about the tourist destinations of India, with the new initiatives, you will soon be able to visit and experience remote locations like the trekking trails of Alkapuri Glacier, or enjoy the locale festival in the border village of Ladakh, river raft in Arunachal and enjoy adventure tourism in Sikkim.
This initiative is the " Vibrant Village Programme", where 663 villages have been identified. 17 border villages, part of the initiative, will be revamped in phase-1 and developed as tourism sites to boost rural tourism. The focus will be on facilities and better connectivity, with work to be completed by April 2024.
The scheme also intends to leverage tourism, through the promotion of local, cultural, fairs, festivals and traditional knowledge and heritage in the border areas, thus increasing the employment opportunities of the locals.
Which are the villages and where are they located?
The 17 villages chosen for the pilot projects include:
- Chushul and Korzok in Ladakh.
- Gipu, Lalung, and Charang Khas in Himachal Pradesh.
- Niti, Mana, Malari, and Gunji in Uttarakhand.
- Lachen, Gnathang, Lachung in Sikkim.
- Zemithang, Tuting, Taksing, Chayangtajo, and Kibithoo in Arunachal Pradesh.
What are the other facilities which are part of this project?
The work will start with the villages of Uttarakhand, where 120 homestays will be constructed under the "Deen Dayal Upadhyay Griha Awaas Yojana".
Trekking routes are planned along Saraswati Tal, Vasudhara Falls, and Alkapuri Glacier in Mana village. New routes are also being identified near Niti Pass and Kailash viewpoint in Niti village. In Malari village of the same district, trails near Parwati Kund and the popular Bugyal trek are getting planned. These routes, earlier operated by private tourist companies, will now have Government trained guides with good infrastructure.
Similarly, trekking routes are being identified in Himachal Pradesh as well.
Adventure tourism like river rafting in Para and Kameng as well as ice skating will be developed in Chayangtajo village of Arunachal Pradesh.
In Sikkim, adventure tourism meets will be organised in Gnathang village which will include skiing, ice skating, and angling at Memencho Lake, mountain biking and high-altitude marathons in Lachen village.
What is the cost of this ambitious project?
A total of Rs. 4,800 crores has been allocated under the programme for infrastructure development and to provide livelihood opportunities. Out of this, ₹2,500 crores will be spent exclusively on the creation of road infrastructure and is being completely funded by the Union Home Ministry.
The project further aims to provide clean drinking water, all-weather road access, mobile network, electricity, and internet connectivity, along with the development of tourism hubs.
As per reports, The Union Ministry of Tourism, along with State tourism and sports departments will implement these programmes. Nodal officers have been appointed at both village and State levels.
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