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�Adopt a Heritage� tourism project

By MAMATA MISHRA

GUWAHATI, Jan 19 - Four prominent tourists destinations of Assam, including the Kaziranga National Park and three heritage sites in Sivasagar, would soon become a part of the Union government�s �Adopt a Heritage� project with the Ministry of Tourism initiating the process to rope in private parties as Monument Mitra to build and upgrade the amenities surrounding these sites.

The project envisages creating and upgrading with tourist friendly facilities the popular as well as oft neglected heritage destinations and monuments, which, with proper upkeep, can attract backpackers, heritage lovers and researchers from across the globe.

The Ministry of Tourism in close collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State governments and local bodies have launched �Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan� project to preserve the rich cultural and natural heritage and to promote tourism across the length and breadth of the country. The project was launched by the President of India on the occasion of World Tourism Day on September 27 last.

According to sources in the Ministry of Tourism, a number of private parties from Assam and the Northeast have shown interest in the maintenance and upkeep of the heritage sites and creation of tourist friendly amenities at those sites.

�We have selected Kaziranga and three monuments in Sivasagar, including Rang Ghar, Kareng Ghar and Shiva Doul, for the purpose. After the expression of interest from the private parties from Assam, the process has been kick started. After vision bidding with detailed proposals, letter of intent would be issued,� the sources added.

Any private party, institution, PSU or even individuals willing to adopt a heritage can become a Monument Mitra (friend) under the project. The Mitras will maintain cleanliness, provide public conveniences, drinking water, ease of access for differently able and senior citizens and standardized signage and illumination. Advanced amenities, on the other hand, include surveillance system, night viewing facilities, tourism facilitation centre, etc. Monument Mitra for Assam sites would start from basic amenities.

�The concept of Monument Mitra is entirely based on the pride of being associated with the heritage monuments of the particular place. In the process, the parties involved can also club their CSR activities or can take it up as a good brand image building exercise,� sources added.

Apart from promoting sustainable tourism infrastructure, the scheme would also create employment opportunities locally. The Monument Mitras would look after the operation and maintenance of these amenities for an initial period of five years, in a planned and phased manner.

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