Tourism potential remains unexploited

Bhopal, Mar 03: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the immense potential of tourism in Madhya Pradesh still remains largely unexploited due to long neglect of this sector. Concerted efforts have been made over last four years for optimum exploitation of these possibilities by encouraging and promoting tourism industry. This would reduce the burden on agriculture and employment would be generated for the youths.

Chouhan was addressing a function organized at Hotel Palash Residency here this evening. Four national awards won by Madhya Pradesh for its excellent performance in tourism sector were presented to the Chief Minister Shri Chouhan on the occasion. The Chief Minister said that the state couldn’t afford to rest on its laurels, as it has to scale further heights in development. He said that the people of the state, officers and employees of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and public representatives deserve the credit for these awards.

The Chief Minister said that the policies have been suitably amended for tourism development in the state. Further steps would be taken as and when necessary, he said. Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh is a unique state with three world heritage sites viz. Sanchi, Khajuraho and Bhimbetka. It is endowed with unmatched natural beauty and forests. In this context, he mentioned the national parks, sanctuaries, Amarkantak, Pachmarhi, Bhedaghat, Asia’s largest reservoir Indira Sagar Jalashaya etc. He said that following well-contemplated efforts the tourist inflow is increasing every year in the state.

Madhya Pradesh has received awards in four categories for year 2006-07 from the Union Ministry of Tourism. These include Best Performing State Award, Most Innovative Product (Coach Restaurant, Bhopal) Award, Best Maintained Tourist Friendly National Park (Pench) Award and Best Maintained Friendly Monument (Sanchi) Award. The Minister for Forests Vijay Shah said that forest and tourism departments are working in tandem to promote tourism in Madhya Pradesh. It has been decided to open various forest rest houses for the tourists. Madhya Pradesh is the first state to have constituted Eco-tourism Board, he added.

The Minister for Tourism Tukojirao Puar said that Madhya Pradesh is fast emerging on tourism map for its natural, religious and spiritual sites. All out efforts would be made to build on our achievements in future. The Chairman of MP Tourism Development Corporation Dhruvnarayan Singh delivered the welcome address. Prominent among those present on the occasion included the Secretary, Tourism Iqbal Singh Bain; Managing Director of the Corporation Ashvini Lohani; public representatives, office bearers of organizations engaged in tourism sector and a large number of people.