Ranchi: State’s Tourism Minister Amar Kumar Bauri said that Jharkhand has been blessed by mother nature with natural and scenic beauty and it was Chief Minister Raghubar Das who recognized its potential and made efforts in the last four and a half years to get recognition for the state on the national and international tourism map.
Addressing a press conference at the Suchana Bhawan here he said Tourism and Arts and Culture Department was a big medium to represent the state at the national level, therefore the government was making all possible efforts to preserve and deserve the art and culture of the state.
He said that in the last 4.5 years the number of tourists coming to Jharkhand has doubled to 3.54 lakh which also included 1.76 foreign tourists. He said that at all the major tourist destinations facilities of transportation, accommodation, drinking water, toilet and security has been made.
The minister said that Tourism was such a sector wherewith less investment more employment can be generated and pointed that 1.76 jobs have been created in tourism and hospitality sector of the state in which special focus has been accorded to the employment of locals.
He said that 132 tourism spots of the state have been divided into International, national and regional level categories and are being developed accordingly. He said that 8 tourism and cultural level events have been given the status of state event which included Itkhori, Chhau Mahaotsav, Shravani Mela, Luguburu, Maghi Mela, Hijla Mela, Mudma Mela and Basukinath Dham Mahotsav and apart from that at Hundru, Jonhna, Panchgagh, Netarhaat, Betla, Chandil, Patratu and Maithon on regular intervals adventure sports are organised.
He said that it was due to the efforts of state government that Shravani Mela in Deoghar has got International recognition. He said that the government was providing all possible facilities to the devotees. On the other hand, Patratu dam has also been developed in such a manner that it has become favourite destination for tourists and even tourists are flocking to Netarhaat.
Adding further the tourism Minister said that under Swadesh Darshan Yojana Dalma-Chandil-Getalsud- Betla, Mirchaniya, Netarhaat will be developed as eco-tourism circuit on which Rs 52.72 crore will be spent. Apart from beautification of Luguburu which is scared religious spot for the Santhal tribe works was also on to develop Hundru, Dasham, Jonha and Itkhori as major tourism destinations. He said that apart from that work for the restoration of Maluti temples was also in the state and renovation of Audrey house has been completed in Ranchi. The Minister said that even renowned artists of international and national level are called to perform at the functions.
The minister said that the government was also committed for the development of sports and sportsmen in the state and was providing best of facilities to them through a residential training center, day boarding centers, center for excellence and JSSPS sports academy.
Those present in the press conference also included Secretary Tourism Rahul Sharma, Director Tourism Sanjeev Kumar Besra, IPRD Director Ram Lakhan Prasad Gupta and others.