are mobilizing the community regarding tourism and its potential.” “We have formed Village Tourism Development Communities in places that have tourism potential. We provide training to the local people, apart from 15 per cent profit from tourism initiatives. This also keeps the Maoists away. We have seen that the insurgents do not harm tourists and also keep away from areas where the local people are involved,” says Tripathi. The state is looking at giving a fillip to its tourism potential by roping in organisations and experts who can help harness the tourism potential of the state. The state has tied-up with Delhi-based organisation INTACH to help identify and develop various tourism aspects which are exclusive to the state. The state is also in talks with IRCTC of the Indian Railways to promote the state as a tourist destination. Talking about the partnership, MemberSecretary of INTACH, Chuden Tshering Misra, said: “INTACH will do a cultural mapping and identify heritage villages for the state’s tourism development plans. We will also do capacity building and provide training in heritage and hospitality. Once we identify a particular village, we will help develop their festivals and culture for tourism purposes. The state has Anglo-Indian settle-
Jharkhand can provide a different experience
DR. CT MISRA MEMBER SECRETARY, INTACH
INTACH will do a cultural mapping and identify heritage villages for the state’s tourism development plans. We will help develop their festivals and culture for tourism purposes. The state has Anglo-Indian settlements as well as those of the zamindars from Bengal.
ments as well as those of the zamindars from Bengal. We would like to help Jharkhand in the conservation of these buildings as well.” Noted adventure sports expert Ajeet Bajaj, from Snow Leopard Adventures, said that the state has immense adventure tourism potential but still has to map it. “Some of the soft adventure sports can be rock climbing, paragliding, mountain biking, ballooning, repelling, river rafting, kayaking and canoeing.” Bajaj also said that Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni can be made the state’s brand ambassador for promoting it as an adventure destination. Ricky Surie, a corporate investor, said that rail connectivity to the state is good, though air connectivity is still to come up properly and that the national highway 33 still needs substantial repairs. Jharkhand is now seeking more tourists through partnerships, by conducting roadshows and doing familiarization trips. For a state that has prehistoric rock art, Buddhist sites and is known for its tribal wall art and murals, it is time to step out of the woods. by RAHUL KUMAR
December 2011 GO NOW
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