Boosting timeless charm and traditions of tribal heartland
Jharkhand Tourism is working relentlessly to give shape to its ambitious projects in the vertices of pilgrim, tribal and eco-tourism and offer an impetus to its upcoming destinations by sprucing up infrastructure, strengthening the connectivity and bolstering the safety and security of travellers.
During these unprecedented times, all of us have seen our lives change in the most unexpected ways and tourism has been the worst hit by the pandemic. In an attempt to overcome the mental fatigue caused by being confined at home for a long time, most of us are seeking a post-pandemic break to some offbeat, newfound destinations. Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation has drawn up a tourism revival strategy and is tirelessly working for tourism to fall into place in the state.
Dr. Alok Prasad, General Manager, Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation Limited explained, “The pandemic has made a huge impact on tourism and hospitality sectors and our prime focus is to instill confidence among travellers on the issues of safety and hygiene in accommodation centres and tourist retreats in the state. We are tapping social media to send out messages to our potential markets to create a conducive environment for the revival of tourism. Our focus is to offer a boost to wellness tourism, adventure and sports tourism. Facilitating MICE tourism and provision of tax waiver for tourists staying in hotels form a large part of our revival plan.”
The state tourism department has drawn up its post-lockdown agenda that includes aggressive promotion of niche tourist getaways, hosting a string of tourism roadshows across the state and Indian metros, organising webinars and training moratorium on debt to various stakeholders.
Prasad said, “We are targeting the tourism sectors in the sphere of health and wellness, rural and tribal, wildlife, pilgrim, and eco-tourism. Our state takes enormous pride in harbouring some of the famed pilgrim hotspots of India that draw a steady stream of pilgrims all year round. The state is a repository of natural vegetation and mineral resources. Our eco-tourist destinations have gained immense popularity among travellers. Some of our ongoing eco-tourism circuit projects include Chandil- Netarhat- Betla National Park. We are emphasising on developing eco-friendly accommodation and building infrastructure to make the pilgrim destinations easily accessible for travellers.” Other facilities include provision of clean drinking water, sanitation, affordable and hygienic accommodation facilities.
There is the Union Ministry of Tourism’s two-year Prasad Schemea pilgrim project currently on at Deoghar. Alok Prasad further said, “The first phase of the project will be over at the year-end. The project themed- Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) comprises setting up city entrance gateways, tourist kiosks, development of Jalsar lakefront, Shiv Ganga pond, Kanwariya trail and laying the approach road to the revered Baba Baidynath shrine. There will be an integrated control command centre and a Jyotirlingam theme walk. The project is pegged at `39.13 crore and a fund of `20.57 crore has been allotted from the Ministry of Tourism.”
The newfound eco-tourist retreats in the state are Chandil in the district of Seraikela Kharsawan, Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary in the vicinity of Jamshedpur, Getalsud in Ranchi, Netarhat, Mirchaiya Waterfalls in the district of Latehar and Betla National Park. There are upcoming pilgrim points that deserve mention like the 800-year-old Shakti Mandir honouring Goddess Kali at Lilori Sthan in Katras or Katrasgarh colliery in the district of Dhanbad. The Hindu shrine at Lilori Sthan is one of the ancient shrines in the region.
Deoghar, Parasnath and Rajrappa remain pretty much the pilgrim hotspots in the state. Besides, there is the famed Itkhori- the impressive Buddhist pilgrim point in the district of Chatra. A museum has been set up and another Central government project is in the pipeline.
“The state has a tremendous potential to emerge as a prominent tourist destination keeping in mind the wide range of tourist attractions on offer. The state’s calling cards are pilgrim, heritage, tribal and culture tourism, eco-tourism, adventure, and wellness tourism. With sound infrastructure facilities, support from stakeholders, hygienic and comfortable accommodation options, safety, and robust branding, the state can go a long way in creating wonders in the verticals of tourism,” added Prasad.