In a bid to boost rural tourism and familiarise the youth with village culture, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a phase-wise campaign in the first phase of which 18 districts have been selected where rural tourism will be promoted.
“Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of villages in the country and has enormous potential in the agricultural tourism sector. From each of these districts, the government will pick two villages to boost tourism,” said Principal Secretary (Tourism) Mukesh Meshram.
“In addition to encouraging better agricultural practices, cow husbandry, craftsmanship, handloom, handicrafts, unique pure foods, biological and agricultural diversity, etc., we are beginning the process for promoting our rich historical, religious and cultural heritage in the villages,” Meshram remarked.
The advisory organisations for 18 districts across the state have already been selected in the first phase, according to the principal secretary.
“On behalf of these institutions, a survey will be conducted to identify two villages in each district where tourism will be promoted. A plan will also be chalked out to educate the younger generation about villages and their unique specialties in order to promote rural tourism,” he said.
The representatives of the chosen institutions will contact the district magistrates of the selected districts and also speak with other stakeholders involved in tourism-related activities about issues pertaining to rural tourism.
After the discussion, an action plan will be prepared on behalf of the chosen institutions by conducting a survey based on the primary issues. The Tourism Department will continue to work to give agriculture tourism a fresh focus in the coming years, the official said.
The advisory organisations which will conduct survey in the 18 districts are the following: Lucknow and Lakhimpur Kheri -- Academy of Management Studies, Mathura; Aligarh -- Adarsh Seva Samiti; Agra and Firozabad -- Atharva Planning and Research Center Pvt. Ltd.; Varanasi and Azamgarh -- Bakri Chhap Agro Tourism and Natural Products Pvt. Ltd.; Prayagraj and Bhadohi -- Ernst & Young; Gorakhpur and Kushinagar -- Chemis Connect; Jhansi and Lalitpur -- Node Urban Lab; Ayodhya and Barabanki -- Schoolnet India Limited; Chitrakoot and Banda -- Social Association for Nurturing Nighting and Linking People (SANKALP).
