The Ministry of Tourism (MoT), in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), has initiated its training program in Odisha as well. This initiative, termed the Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme, reached a pivotal juncture on January 5, 2024, with the launch of its fourth training module aimed at empowering local communities, boat owners, and Forest department officials of Bhitarkanika National Park.
The initiative encompasses two distinct training programs: the Alternative Livelihood Program (ALP) and the Paryatan Navik Certificate (PNC), both spanning a duration of 15 days each. The collaborative effort between the Odisha State Wetlands Authority (OSWA) and the Mangrove Forest Division, Rajnagar, identified and selected a cohort of 60 participants (30 for each course) from the local communities in and around Bhitarkanika.
Several new developments in the pipeline will make Punjab a strong player globally, said Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary Tourism & Cultural Affairs, in conversation with ETTravelWorld. In 2024, Punjab’s tourism strategies will be characterised by a blend of sustainability, technology integration, and a focus on local experiences, besides developing tourist sites in PPP along the state’s major rivers to push adventure and water tourism activities.
The primary objective of this endeavor is to equip and certify these individuals as proficient nature-guides. This strategic move aligns with the overarching mission of the Amrit Dharohar Initiative led by the MoEF&CC, aiming to bolster livelihood prospects for local communities by harnessing the nature-tourism potential of Ramsar Sites nationwide.The program’s phased approach has already marked significant milestones. In the initial phase, five priority Ramsar sites were earmarked for focused attention, namely Sultanpur National Park, Sirpur Wetland, Yashwant Sagar, Bhitarkanika National Park, and Chilika Lake.
Notably, the successful completion of the first three training programs for Sultanpur National Park, Sirpur Wetland, and Yashwant Sagar was done in December 2023.
