800-crore boost to 8 lesser-known tourist sites in 6 Northeastern states
- To ease overcrowding and over-tourism, eight lesser-known tourist spots in six northeastern states will be developed as iconic sites at a cost of Rs 800 crore approximately.
Highlights:
- To mitigate overcrowding and promote balanced tourism, the Indian government has approved the development of eight lesser-known tourist destinations in six northeastern states, with a budget of approximately ₹800 crore. These projects aim to create iconic sites and boost sustainable tourism in the region.
Key Projects and Locations
- The projects span six northeastern states and focus on enhancing unique tourist experiences:
- Sikkim: Border experience at Nathula (₹97.37 crore).
- Tripura: Development of a 51 Shakti Peethas Park at Gomti (₹97.7 crore).
- Manipur: Loktak Lake experience (₹89.48 crore).
- Meghalaya: Umiam Lake in Shillong (₹99.27 crore).
- Assam: Assam State Zoo in Guwahati (₹97.12 crore).
- Arunachal Pradesh: Siang Eco-Retreat in Pasighat (₹46.48 crore).
Funding and Implementation
- Budget Allocation: ₹800 crore with an initial 66% of funds already released to states.
- Timeline: Projects are to be completed within two years, with full disbursement by March 2026.
- Monitoring: The Ministry of Tourism will oversee progress.
SASCI Guidelines for Project Development
- The projects are part of the Special Assistance to States/UTs for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, which provides:
- Interest-free loans for 50 years.
- Guidelines for developing iconic tourist centers, branding, and global marketing.
- Encouragement for public-private investment partnerships, with land provided by states.
Tourism Sector Goals and Vision
- Enhancing Lesser-Known Destinations: Promoting underexplored areas to reduce over-tourism in mainstream sites.
- Boosting Local Economies: Supporting small-scale businesses and creating employment opportunities.
- Sustainable Growth: Ensuring environmental and cultural preservation through strategic project selection.
Additional Highlights from Tourism Mart in Kaziranga
- Arunachal Pradesh reported a 205% increase in tourist footfall over the last decade, particularly in villages near the China border.
- Collaboration among the state government, the Centre, and the Army aims to improve tourism infrastructure in border areas.
Prelims Takeaways
- States/ UTs for Capital Investment (SASCI)
- 12th International Tourism Mart in Kaziranga