Niti Aayog to host investors' conference for eco-tourism in Andamans, Lakshadweep

NITI Aayog will tomorrow host an investors' conference to attract investments for the development of eco-tourism on public private partnership (PPP) basis in Andaman & Nicobar, and Lakshadweep Islands, an official statement said.

The statement further said that 11 anchor tourism projects are proposed to be implemented with private sector participation under suitable risk-sharing model and through open-competitive bidding.

"The said anchor tourism projects have been identified on government-owned land in Smith, Aves, Long, Neil & Little Andaman Islands of Andaman & Nicobar, and in Kadmat, Suheli and Minicoy islands of Lakshadweep," it said.

According to statement, out of these 11 projects, seven (four in Andaman & Nicobar and three in Lakshadweep) are in 'ready-to-launch' stage.

Detailed land survey and demarcation of project sites, carrying capacity assessment of the project islands, coastal regulation zone (CRZ) application and pre-feasibility study have been undertaken.

The conference will be inaugurated by NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant.

Sustainable development of islands and overall maritime development has been accorded high priority by the government.

Island Development Agency (IDA) an apex body, under the chairmanship of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, was constituted in June 2017, while NITI Aayog has been mandated to steer the Holistic Development of Islands program, along with the respective UT administration/ State Governments.

Under the said program in the first phase 10 Islands in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep have been taken up for holistic development, the statement said.