The recently held review meeting for the “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” project brings this noteworthy initiative back into the spotlight. The project, designed to encourage enhanced tourism amenities at various heritage and tourist sites across India, is an ambitious endeavor that deserves a deeper look.
Project Launch and Partnerships
Launched on the 27th of September, 2017, coinciding with World Tourism Day, the project constitutes a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Culture, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and State/Union Territories Governments.
Objectives of the Project
The primary aim of the project is to make various cultural, natural, and tourist sites in India more tourist-friendly. This includes improving basic facilities at these sites and implementing them in a planned, phased manner to maintain historical integrity while increasing appeal.
Implementation and Monument Mitras
Sites or monuments are chosen based on high tourist footfall and visibility and can be adopted by private and public sector companies and individuals known as Monument Mitras for an initial period of five years. A crucial aspect to note is that there is no financial bid involved in this process. Instead, the corporate sector is encouraged to use Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for site maintenance. The Monument Mitras are selected by an ‘oversight and vision committee’ co-chaired by the Tourism Secretary and the Culture Secretary.
Amenities Development
Listed among the key features to be developed are basic amenities such as clean drinking water, improved illumination, ease of access, site aesthetics and cleanliness, installation of digi kiosk and ticketing kiosk, proper signage – both descriptive and directional, and Wi-Fi facilities. In addition to these, advanced amenities like a Visitor Facility Centre, Sound and Light Show, Snack Counter & Souvenir Shop, Augmented Reality Experience, and Virtual Reality (360-degree experience) are also on the cards.
Benefits for Monument Mitras
Monument Mitras will also see some advantages from their involvement in the project. These include limited visibility on the site premises and the Incredible India website, which may indirectly boost their standing and reputation.
Current Status of the Project
As of now, under the project, 27 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) have been awarded to 12 Monument Mitras for 25 sites and 2 technological interventions across India.
Other Initiatives for Promoting Tourism
In addition to the Adopt a Heritage project, other schemes such as DekhoApnaDesh, Iconic Tourist Sites, Swadesh Darshan, and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) are also being implemented to boost tourism in India.
This comprehensive look at the “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” project should give readers ample insight into this ambitious initiative that aims at transforming India’s vast and varied heritage and tourist sites, enhancing visitor experiences while preserving the invaluable cultural ethos of the nation. This is an initiative that goes beyond just tourism; it is about reclaiming and maintaining our shared cultural heritage.