To ensure quality infrastructure and facilities for tourists, the State government has embarked on a programme on adoption of 46 tourist destinations in collaboration with the corporate sector.
Under the programme, the Department of Tourism has identified the destinations/circuits in 22 districts for adoption by the corporate sector under the corporate social responsibility (CSR). A notification issued by the department said that under the programme tourist locations would be provided basic amenities, such as roads, drinking water, toilets, accommodation, vehicles, guides, food courts, shops etc.
PanelA 13-member committee, headed by Tourism Minister R.V. Deshpande, has been constituted to examine and approve proposals received from the corporate sector. Though 319 locations were identified across the State for developing facilities for tourists, the department has shortlisted 46 destinations for adoption.
Some of the activities or initiatives that are envisaged under the programme are training guides on historical and cultural importance of the place, providing electric cars for senior citizens, illumination of monuments, implementing solid waste management, rejuvenating water bodies, and conservation and restoration of monuments with the approval of departments concerned.
DestinationsThe 46 destinations identified for adoption are Badami, Pattadakal, Banashankari, Mahakoota, Aihole (Bagalkot district); Venkatappa Art Gallery, Aquarium near Cubbon Park, Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, Tipu Palace Fort, Visvesvaraya Museum, Freedom Park, Muthyalamaduvu, Bannerghatta National Park (Bangalore Urban); Shivagange (Bangalore Rural); Kittur (Belgaum), Hampi, T.B. Dam (Bellary); Bidar Fort (Bidar); Gol Gumbaz (Bijapur); Nandi Hills, Tipu’s birth place (Chickballapur); Kemmannugundi (Chikmagalur); Vani Vilasa Sagar (Chitradurga); Shanti Sagar (Davangere); Lakkundi (Gadag); Belur, Halebid, Shravanabelagola (Hassan); Raja Seat, Abbi Falls (Kodagu); Anegundi (Koppal); Kokkarebellur, Srirangapatna, Brindavan Gardens, Ranganathittu, Balmuri Falls/Sangam (Mandya); Talakad, Somanathapur, Nanjangud (Mysore); Raichur Fort (Raichur); Mekedatu (Ramanagaram); Jog Falls (Shimoga); Malpe Beach, St. Mary’s Island (Udupi); Tagore Beach and Murudeshwara (Uttara Kannada).
MoUOfficials in the department said corporate bodies would finance the activities, operations and maintain the facilities on their own rather than transfer the funds to the department.
The MoU would be reviewed for another five years if it was mutually agreed between the parties. An independent evaluator appointed by the Director of Tourism would periodically evaluate the implementation of the programme. The Joint Director of the Directorate of Tourism is the nodal officer to oversee the programme.
