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| Policy on promotion of eco tourism soon |
| BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar Jul 19, 2011, 00:14 IST |
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Comment on allowing non-Hindus into Puri temple kicks off row
The Orissa government is in the process of formulating a new tourism policy with focus on ecotourism, said state environment and forest minster Debi Prasad Mishra.
Mishra, who was earlier in charge of the tourism ministry, said “We are in the process of preparing the draft of a policy framework which would promote ecotourism in the state. We have identified places like Tikerpada, Bhitarkanika, and Chilika Lake for this purpose. Through this policy we will ensure less ecological threat to these places while tapping the revenue generation potential of these spots”.
Mishra was speaking at a workshop organized by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Orissa (HRAO) here. Though he did not set any deadline for the completion of the draft, he said, it would come out by the end of the rainy season (in September). The draft would then be sent to the Chief Minister for his approval.
Ecotourism focuses travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas as an alternative to mass tourism.
In the workshop, legislators and business leaders opined that policy makers and government officials must make an effort for successful brand promotion and create friendly rules and regulations for the development of tourism sector in the state.
They said, states like Kerala and Rajasthan have achieved tremendous success in tourism because of their proper brand image and effective polices, while Orissa, which was once a leader in attracting foreign tourist way back in 1980s, has fallen behind.
“While foreign tourist inflow to Orissa has remained stagnant at 40,000 level, Andhra Pradesh, our neighbouring state, has attracted 323,000 international tourists and 155,000 domestic tourists in 2010, “said J K Mohanty, chairman of HRAO.
However, senior BJD leader and member of Rajya Sabha committee on transport, tourism and culture, Pyari Mohan Mohapatra kicked off a row saying non-Hindus should be allowed into Puri Jagannath temple as a measure to boost tourism in the state. Non-Hindus, who barred to enter the temple, have a lot of curiosity about the shrine. Allowing them inside the temple would increase the tourist traffic flow by about 50 percent, he said. He also advocated for liberalization of policy framework to allow establishment of casinos, like in Goa and Sikkim, to attract more tourists. “The government should create a land bank for tourism sector along with specific policies that aim at boosting tourism”, he added.
Meanwhile, Mohapatra’s statement on Puri temple has been criticized by certain religious groups including the Sevayats of Puri, who do not want any dilution in the age old tradition of not allowing non-Hindus into the temple.
Speaking at the workshop Prafulla Samal, minister of tourism and culture, said, the tourism department has signed agreement with US-based advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather to showcase the precious treasures of the state in international television channels and is also planning outdoor advertising in the domestic market.
“Orissa has great potential for ecotourism, rural tourism, religious tourism, cultural tourism, but the main problem is the connectivity. A small state like Kerala has four international airports while Orissa has none. Beside the golden triangle Puri, Konark and Bhubaneswar, other touristic places of the state are not interconnected and do not have good infrastructure facilities,” HARO chairman Mohanty said.
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