Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, apni Pehchaan

The “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” is a collaborative effort undertaken by the Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Ministry of Tourism and the governments of states and union territories (UTs). It was launched in September 2017, by President Ram Nath Kovind, on World Tourism Day.
 
The underlying aim of this project is to promote responsible tourism by inviting the public sector companies, private sector companies and corporate citizens/individuals to take up the responsibility for making the heritage and tourism in India more sustainable, through development, operation and maintenance of world-class tourist infrastructure and amenities at ASI/State heritage sites and other important tourist sites.
 
The agency with the best vision will be selected to become “Monument Mitras”, based on the innovative concept of “Vision Building.” There is no financial bid involved as this is essentially meant to be a non-revenue generating project.This decision is made by the “Oversight and Vision” committee, co-chaired by Tourism and Cultural Secretaries. This committee has the power to terminate the MoU in case of non-performance or non-compliance.
 
They will adopt the monument for an initial period of 5 years. They are expected to utilise their CSR funds for upkeep, maintenance and providing basic amenities and services including cleanliness, drinking water, public conveniences, ease of access and mobility for differently-abled and senior citizens, standardized signage as well as illumination. Advanced amenities will include surveillance systems, night-viewing facilities, and a tourism facilitation centre.
 
The priority areas are:

• Developing basic tourism infrastructure;
• Promoting cultural and heritage value of the country to generate livelihoods in the identified regions;
• Enhancing the tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner by developing world-class infrastructure at the heritage monument sites;
• Creating employment through active involvement of local communities;
• Harnessing tourism potential for its effects in employment generation and economic development;
• Developing sustainable tourism infrastructure and ensuring proper Operations and Maintenance therein.

 
The Archaeological Survey of India has identified 100 monuments as “Adarsh Smarak” for upgradation of existing facilities – toilets, cafeteria, wi-fi, interpretation centre, braille signage – based on actual requirements and feasibility. As of December 2018, 10 monuments have been successfully adopted, with the signing of MoUs, for the development and maintenance of heritage sites to enhance their tourism potential and cultural importance in a phased and planned manner.
 
The ten sites are:

• Red Fort (Delhi) by Dalmia Bharat Limited
• Gandikota Fort (Andhra Pradesh) by Dalmia Bharat Limited
• Area surrounding Gangotri Temple (Trail to Gaumukh, Uttarakhand) by Adventure Tour Operators Association of India
• Mount Stok Kangri Trek (Ladakh) by Adventure Tour Operators Association of India
• Qutub Minar (Delhi) by Yatra Online
• Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra) by Yatra Online
• Leh Palace (Leh, Jammu & Kashmir): Yatra Online
• Jantar Mantar (Delhi): Apeejay Park Hotels
• Surajkund (Haryana): Bliss Resorts

 
Thus, an enhanced tourism experience will result in increased tourist footfalls, both domestic and foreign, by promoting heritage sites in India and putting them on the tourism map. In return, the agencies will get limited visibility in the premises and the Incredible India website.
 
Image credit: http://www.adoptaheritage.in
 
India Outbound
January 16, 2019

 
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/adopt-a-heritage-apni-dharohar-apni-pehchaan/