Jharkhand CM to launch new tourism policy on July 23

Jharkhand government in association with industry body FICCI will launch the Jharkhand Tourism Policy 2021 at New Delhi on Saturday. Focus is on promotion of religious, eco, adventure, wellness, rural, and mining tourism along with weekend getaways.

“Jharkhand is on the path to revive one of the hardest hit sectors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which is tourism. To foster a thriving tourism ecosystem in the state, Jharkhand’s Tourism Policy 2021 will be soon brought into motion,” the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Jharkhand, said in a statement.

Jharkhand is well endowed with the beauty and bounty of nature. From being a land of forests, mesmerizing waterfalls, resplendent and regal culture, to the scenic and serene tourist destinations, the state has all the merits to identify itself as a traveller’s paradise.

“It was hence deemed pertinent to chart a clear cut trajectory for tourism to flourish in the state. The new Tourism Policy 2021 seeks to build upon a holistic approach which takes into account the rural tourism and the local economy, at the same time makes room for the modern and urban traveller seeking their refuge and rendezvous with nature,” the government said.

The key focus areas of the policy are to develop Parasnath, Madhuban and Itkhori as places of religious pilgrimage. To exhibit the immense potential the state has in terms of eco-tourism by the development of eco-circuits like Latehar-Netarhat-Betla-Chandil-Dalma-Mirchaiya-Getalsud circuit.

Efforts will be made to promote various fairs and festivals and to give opportunities to the tourists to experience a slice of the rich and varied cultural heritage of the state by boosting cultural and rural tourism. The policy also unravels an array of adventure related activities like paragliding, water sports, rock climbing, motor gliding that the state has to offer.

The policy focuses on promoting Jharkhand as a haven to ‘rest and recuperate’ in order to take forward its pursuit in developing wellness tourism. Jharkhand has a geographical advantage in being at a close proximity to the major urban centres in neighbouring states of Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha, and thereby serves as an ideal destination for those looking for weekend getaways.

A unique aspect of the policy is the focus on promotion of mining tourism, a concept which is gaining increasing traction nationally and internationally. In order to achieve all the goals identified under the policy, the government plans to modernise the Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC). Further, due emphasis will be ascribed to upgradation of the existing Tourist Information Centers which will cater to reservations, accommodation and transport oriented needs of the tourists.

The new tourism policy offers a host of incentives and subsidies to attract investors across the nation and abroad. With a streamlined system for license, incentives and subsidies through a Single Window System, the entire process will become hassle-free.

A constructive and mutually beneficial partnership between the private and public sector through Build Operate Transfer (BOT), BOOT (build own operate transfer), BLT (built lease transfer) has been proposed. Procedures to make foreign investments and technological collaborations by Overseas Corporate Bodies (OCBs) and NRIs feasible have also been adopted.

To extend support to the new tourism units, capital investment incentives will be admissible to them. Security, which is a pertinent issue for tourism to thrive in any state, will be ensured by positioning a tourist security force, 24-hour tourist helpline, and central control room.

“Jharkhand has truly embarked on a journey to establish itself as one of the premier tourist destinations in India,” said the state government, adding that the new Tourism Policy 2021 will be the cornerstone in the state’s efforts to revive, renew and revamp the tourism sector.