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Union Ministry of Tourism
to Focus on Adventure tourism
New Delhi, September 05, 2008
The Union Ministry of Tourism recently reviewed the
projects which have been sanctioned to various state
Governments for adventure tourism. At the meeting chaired by
Joint Secretary, Tourism Smt. Leena Nandan, it was decided to
provide an updated list to Adventure Tour Operators
Association of adventure tourism projects of the State
Governments sanctioned by Ministry of Tourism to enable them
to plan activities and marketing initiatives accordingly.
Secretary(Tourism), Govt. of Uttarakhand Tourism informed at
the meeting that they are going to host South Asian Winter
Games in February, 2009 in which eight countries will be
participating. They will be submitting their proposal to
Ministry for upgrading their existing facilities for holding
the sports. He also requested the State Governments to come
forward for participation at national level in the Winter
Games for events like Ice skating and skiing.
Further, the Secretary(Tourism), Govt. of Uttarakhand informed
that they will be hosting an Adventure Tourism Meet in
Uttarakhand in December, 2008 to which the adventure tour
operators and other State Governments are invited.
Thereafter, the officials from the other States clarified the
status of Central Financial Assistance (CFA) projects and
mentioned the plans/guidelines for adventure tourism in their
States. A common concern vinced by them was regarding
clearance from the respective Forest Departments.
It was felt that in order to redress some of the issues
related to adventure tourism concerning other Ministries like
Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Defence and Telecommunications, a meeting with all of them may
be called by Ministry of Tourism. The State Governments
interested in participating therein may send a communication
to the Ministry for the same.
Representatives from the Adventure Tour Operators Association
of India welcomed the discussion with State Governments in
exploring the potential of adventure tourism. They expressed
keenness in sensitizing the State Governments and regularly
interacting with them.
An issue flagged by adventure tour operators was that skilled
manpower is required for undertaking the adventure tourism
activities in the country. They expressed interest in working
closely with the Govt. of Sikkim for making the Adventure
Tourism Centre sanctioned by Ministry of Tourism at Chemchey a
successful one, whose model can thereafter be replicated
elsewhere.
As regards the safety guidelines, it was felt that these
should cover new sports like hot air ballooning, mountain
biking and so on. Also, there is a need to have Inland
Maritime Safety Guidelines in addition to river rafting
guidelines.
After the above discussions, the following decisions were
taken:
(i) Ministry of Tourism is in the process of reprinting its
brochure on Basic Minimum Standards for Adventure Tourism
Activities. The State Governments and ATOAI will give their
inputs for updating the information and will also provide the
information on adventure sports which are not included in the
earlier brochure.
(ii) HRD Division of the Ministry needs to make adventure
tourism as a part of the training programmes and the services
of the ex-servicemen may be used as a part of manpower
development and for redressing the issues of rescue training.
The State Governments along with Adventure Tour Operators
Association of India will formulate a module for capacity
building of the adventure tourism. Other institutions like
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, need to be associated with
training programmes.
(iii) A meeting with other Ministries where
clearances/permissions are required for adventure tourism
activities will be convened by the Ministry of Tourism.
Following projects in different States
and Union Territories are under Central Financial Assistance
(CFA) in Adventure Tourism
|
S.No. |
Infrastructure
Project |
|
1. |
River rafting facilities
at Pindi Distt. Kullu (H.P.) |
|
2. |
Construction of Trekkers
Hostel at Janjehli, Distt. Mandi, H.P. |
|
3. |
Development of Kongdoor
as international ski destination, Gulmarg, J&K |
|
4. |
Procurement of Snow
clearance and snow grooming machine for Gulmarg, J&K |
|
5. |
Water Sports Complex at
Bargi, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh |
|
6. |
Purchase of equipment
Canoeing Champinship at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
|
7. |
Development of
Kanganheri Water Sports Tourism, Delhi |
|
8. |
Development of Chhawla
Water Sports Tourism Complex, Delhi |
|
|
Sub Total |
|
9. |
Construction of Eco and
Adventure Centre, Chemchey, Sikkim |
|
10. |
Tourist Trrekking Trains
and other tourism infrastructure under Sang-Martam in
East Sikkim |
|
11. |
Development of Trekking
Trial from Yangyang/Dhappar to Bhallay Dunga |
|
12. |
Development of Assam
Lingzey to Khedi Trek Route including other Tourist
Infrastructure in East Sikkim |
|
13. |
Construction of Pony
track and other infrastructure at Hanuman Tok, Tashi
View Point and Ganesh Tok, Gangtok, East Sikkim |
|
14. |
Construction of View
Tower at Balwakhani and Foot Trail around Gangtok,
East Sikkim |
|
15. |
Construction of Indian
Himalayan Centre for Advenutre and Eco Tourism at
Chemchey Phase II in South Sikkim |
|
16. |
Development of Trekking
route from Cabi to Tamzey incoluding High altitude
Track of Damboche Jakathang and Thanguthu in North
Sikkim |
|
|
Sub Total |
|
17. |
Development of
Nagarjunasagar under Buddhists Circuit
i) Campaign Site for
adventure activites, Andhra Pradesh
|
|
18. |
Destination Development
of Bhavani Island, Krishna District – Purchase of
water sports equipment, Andhra Pradesh |
|
19. |
Integrated development
of Lower Krishna Vallley, Andhra Pradesh |
|
20. |
Purchase of Water Sports
equipment, Daman & Diu |
|
21. |
Purchase of Equipment
and trekking campaign for Coorg, Karnataka |
|
22. |
Development of Trekking
Path, campaign equipment, trekking equipment and motor
boats for Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka |
|
23. |
Trekking and Campaign
equipment, motor boats, banana boats for Chickagalore
Wilderness, Bhadra, Karnataka |
|
24. |
Boating facilities,
trekking and rock-climbing equipment for Chitradurga
Fort, Karanataka |
|
25. |
Improvement of trekking
route, trekking centre for Ranipuram, Kerala |
|
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