Ranchi: The Jharkhand Government is set to unveil a new tourism policy on July 23 with a view to rejuvenating the sector that has been hit the hardest due to outbreak of the Covid pandemic. The policy to be launched by Chief Minister Hemant Soren aims to foster a thriving tourism ecosystem in the state.
The Jharkhand Tourism Policy 2021 would be released at a programme organised jointly by the Department of Tourism and Art and Culture, Government of Jharkhand and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi. The policy has its focus on encouraging opportunities on religious, eco, adventure, wellness, rural, and mining tourism along with weekend getaways.
“The launch of new tourism policy would help Jharkhand embarked on a journey to establish itself as one of the premier tourist destinations in India,” said Development Commissioner Arun Kumar Singh.
Jharkhand vows to offer a vibrant voyage
Jharkhand is well endowed with the beauty and bounty of nature. From being a land of forests, mesmerizing waterfalls, resplendent and regal culture, to the scenic and serene tourist destinations, the State has all the merits to identify itself as a traveller’s paradise. It was hence deemed pertinent to chart a clear cut trajectory for tourism to flourish in the state, said a senior officer.
The New Tourism Policy 2021 seeks to build upon a holistic approach which takes into account the rural tourism and the local economy, at the same time makes room for the modern and urban traveller, seeking their refuge and rendezvous with nature.
Cultural and Rural Tourism
The key focus areas of the policy are to develop Parasnath, Madhuban and Itkhori as places of religious pilgrimage. To exhibit the immense potential the State has in terms of eco- tourism by the development of eco-circuits like Latehar-Netarhat-Betla-Chandil-Dalma-Mirchaiya-Getalsud circuit. Efforts shall be made to promote various fairs and festivals and to give opportunities to the tourists to experience a slice of the rich and varied cultural heritage of the State by boosting cultural & rural tourism.
The policy also unravels an array of adventure related activities like paragliding, water sports, rock climbing, motor gliding that the state has to offer. It focuses on promoting Jharkhand as a haven to ‘rest and recuperate’ in order to take forward its pursuit in developing wellness tourism. Jharkhand has a geographical advantage in being at a close proximity to the major urban centres in neighbouring states of Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha, and thereby serves as an ideal destination for those looking for Weekend Getaways.
Policy also lays stress on mining tourism
A unique aspect of the policy is that it intends develop mining tourism, a concept which is gaining increasing traction nationally and internationally. In order to achieve all the goals identified under the policy, the Government plans to modernise the Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation. Further, due emphasis will be ascribed to upgradation of the existing Tourist Information Centers which will cater to all reservations, accommodation and transport oriented needs of the tourists.
Incentives to attract investments in tourism sector
The new tourism policy offers a host of incentives and subsidies to attract investors across the nation and abroad. With a streamlined system for license, incentives and subsidies through a Single Window System, the entire process shall become hasslefree.
A constructive and mutually beneficial partnership between the private and public sector through Built Operate Transfer (BOT), BOOT (Built own operate transfer), BLT (Built Lease Transfer) has been proposed. Procedures to make Foreign Investments and technological collaborations by Overseas Corporate Bodies (OCB’s) and NRI’s feasible have also been adopted. To extend support to the new tourism units, capital investment incentives shall be admissible to them. Security, which is a pertinent issue for tourism to thrive in any state, shall be ensured by positioning a Tourist Security Force, 24-Hour Tourist helpline, and Central Control Room.
