Govt wants tourism stakeholders to be aware of minimal negative impact on environment
Union government has allocated Rs 900 crore for developing clean tourism destinations. (Photo: DC/File)
Chennai: Envisaging a greater role for the stakeholders in tourism and environment protection initiatives, the Union tourism ministry has proposed to come up with “Sustainable Tourism” certification for stakeholders and link it for approving tour operators and accommodations.
The MoT, which undertook a sensitisation programme on sustainable tourism India perspective recently, has come out with a comprehensive sustainable tourism criteria for India guidelines to cover three core industry verticals, accommodation units (hotels), tour operators, and beaches, backwaters, lakes and rivers.
“The government wants the stakeholders to be aware of the minimal negative impact on environment and Mr Shripad Yesso Naik, Union minister of state for tourism and culture, had stressed the need to develop tourism in the country by minimising the carbon footprint and adhering to sustainable principles of tourism,” a senior tourism official said.
Tourism is one of the main criteria for the BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government has allocated Rs 900 crore for developing clean tourism destinations, pilgrim and archeological sites etc. in the country. The government as well as private stakeholders including end consumers would be involved in the sustainable initiatives.
The ministry would direct the states and union territories to strictly dissuade the use of plastic bottles at beaches and not harm scenic attractions at the backwaters by the visiting tourists. Preventing harassment of women and ensuring utmost safety of tourists, discouraging child trafficking and sex tourism are also high on the tourism ministry’s agenda.
( Source : dc )
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