ESM may be roped in adventure tourism

NEW DELHI : The Tourism Ministry is considering a proposal to use the services of ex-servicemen as part of an exercise for manpower development in adventure tourism.

There is a need for manpower development in adventure tourism and the services of ex-servicemen may be used for the purpose, said a senior Tourism Ministry official. With an aim to boost adventure tourism, the Ministry has worked out an action plan to be carried out in close coordination with state governments. Currently there are about 25 projects related to adventure tourism being implemented with central financial assistance in different states.

The projects include development of river rafting facilities, ski destinations, water sports complex, eco and adventure centre and trekking routes in several states. Tourism Ministry at a recent review meeting decided to provide an updated list of these ongoing projects to adventure tour operators association to enable them to plan activities and marketing initiatives accordingly. "We are trying to sort out various issues related to adventure tourism concerning other ministries like Environment and Forest Ministry and Defence Ministry," said a senior Tourism Ministry official.

A meeting with other Ministries where clearances are required for adventure tourism activities will be convened by the Tourism Ministry shortly, said the official. There is also a proposal to construct an Adventure Tourism Centre in Sikkim whose model can be replicated in other states as well.
Ex-servicemen may be roped in adventure tourism

Ex Servicemen to turn guards of honour for tourists

Taking a serious note of rising incidence of crimes against foreign tourists, particularly women, the Centre on Thursday asked state governments to deploy a force of ex-servicemen in prominent tourist destinations for providing adequate protection to visitors from unscrupulous elements. The recommendation was made by the tourism ministry at a meeting of state tourism secretaries in view of the shortage of police personnel in states to undertake such a specialised task on a regular basis and the reluctance of most state governments to set up a special police force for tourists.

The ministry suggested the creation of a "trained, dedicated and disciplined" watchdog force comprising ex-servicemen to solve the problem of harassment and molestation of women tourists, which had assumed alarming proportions. The tourism ministry offered to help state governments in setting up such special units by coordinating between them and the Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) under the defence ministry.

The expenditure incurred by this special force will have to be borne by state governments, according to Union Tourism Secretary S. Banerjee, who stated that the modalities ofthe scheme would be finalised by his ministry within the next two days.

"Here is a bank of completely trained and disciplined personnel. We are asking states to make use of their services," Banerjee said after the meeting.

The DGR has proposed a model in which ex-servicemen will function as tourist wardens or "tourist buddies" in each state after proper training for the job. The suggestion got a favourable response from state officials, he said.

The meeting was also attended by officials from ministries of home, defence, civil aviation, railways, road transport and highways as well as Delhi Police.

Hindustan Times, Sat, Jan 26 12:25 AM
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