FOSTERING HERITAGE

Gujarat

Despite being one of the worst Covid-19 hit states in the country, Gujarat government has been bolstering visitors’ con dence in travelling to the state by launching several new initiatives. From actively promoting domestic tourism with safety guidelines, creating short travel itineraries to announcing the new Heritage Tourism Policy 2020-2025 — all during the pandemic — the state is evidently focusing on tourism development.

Home to a variety of sacred sites and incredible attractions, Gujarat scores brownie points for its breathtaking safaris that include the Gir National Park (which is the only place in the world where you can spot lions roaming free in the wild, besides Africa). Highlighting Gujarat’s sloth bear population, the government has unveiled its plans to o er tourists a whole new safari experience revolving around the majestic animal. As reported in e Indian Express, “e Gujarat government plans to focus on the “sloth bear corridor” covering the stretch between Banaskantha district in the north, where the density of the animal is the highest, and Narmada in the centresouth of the state, aiming at its conservation and potential for tourism.”

In the Dekho Apna Desh webinar series on Mahatma Gandhi, Ahmedabad and the Salt March, Jenu Devan, managing director and commissioner, Gujarat Tourism spoke about the initiatives taken by the state government with the Ministry of Tourism. ese include identifying places associated with Gandhi and development of tourist infrastructure in the Gandhi circuit covering the Ahmedabad-RajkotPorbandar-Bardoli-Dandi area. He said, “Gujarat is focusing on youth participation promoting philosophies of Gandhiji through activities like the cycle yatra, spiritual live concerts, and a video show in Dandi.”

As a part of the central government’s Swadesh Darshan (see your own country) scheme, prominent tourist sites such as Dholavira and Somnath known for their heritage temples would be developed into iconic tourist destinations.

e aforementioned initiatives highlight that Gujarat is now more determined than ever to show the world, the several hidden gems that it houses, other than the already popular ones such as the Rann of Kutch; Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad; Statue of Unity, Kevadia (the world’s tallest statue, dedicated to Indian independence activist Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel); and Dwarka, a Hindu pilgrimage site.

Chief minister Vijay Rupani has recently announced the Heritage Tourism Policy 2020-2025