Port Blair, Nov 17: A workshop on ‘promoting sustainable tourism in North & Middle Andaman, Little Andaman and Great Nicobar- opportunities and challenges’, was held in the Megapode Resort here today. The Lt Governor, Lt Gen A K Singh (Retd) graced the workshop as the chief guest. The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray was the guest of honour on the occasion. The workshop was organized by the Directorate of Tourism in partnership with the Andaman Chamber of Commerce & Industries.
Addressing the gathering, consisting of representatives from the tour operators, boat operators, members of the Andaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry, other service providers, PRI Members, students from JNRM besides senior officers of the Administration, the Lt. Governor said that the purpose of organizing this workshop was to obtain views and suggestions from all the stakeholders and draw a comprehensive plan for developing year round tourism, that too, beyond Port Blair, Neil and Havelock Islands.
The Administration is committed to ensure contribution of the business houses and keen to take suitable measures to move forward and expand tourism in the Islands, said the Lt. Governor.
“Though the infrastructure in the middle and lower segment of tourism has been developed to some extent, it is infrastructure at high end tourism, which will boost the growth of the Andaman tourism as a whole,” said the Lt. Governor, calling for developing infrastructure at different levels to attract tourists. He asked the Chief Secretary and other officers concerned to draw a comprehensive tourism plan, with action points, by first week of January 2016.
Acknowledging the difficulties of the persons involved in tourism related activities, the Lt. Governor also asked the Chief Secretary to prepare a comprehensive plan on CRZ and Buffer Zone, reinterpreting the law. The PCCF will be the Nodal Officer for this purpose, and PRI members of the concerned area will be involved while framing the plan.
“Long Island, Diglipur, Hut Bay and Campbell Bay Islands will be developed as a tourism package, so that tourism in A&N Islands does not remain Port Blair, Neil and Havelock Centric,” said the Lt. Governor adding that tourism activities in a controlled manner, can be started in Nicobar also, for which the Tribal Council will have to take the initiative. The Lt. Governor also reiterated that the safety and security of the tourist will not be compromised at any cost.
Calling upon everyone to show better attitude to tourists visiting the isles, the Lt. Governor said that we have to create a ‘Brand Andaman’. He informed that gathering that as the Administration has spent 54% of the allocated fund, another sum of Rs 300 crore under plan sector and 90 crore under non plan sector will be given to A & N Islands by the Central Govt.
The Lt. Governor said that night landing by flights was successful and directed that chartered flight from Kolkata must commence in the isles soon while ATR services will begin in Campbell Bay and Shibpur in Diglipur.
With regard to operating Cruise Ships in Isles, the Lt. Governor called upon the private players to work towards this while the Administration will extend all possible help. He also informed about the upcoming resort by Taj Group, at Radhanagar Beach at Havelock Island.
The Lt. Governor also asked the Principal Secretary Revenue to look into the possibilities of declaring Diglipur and Rangat as towns so that they can see better development under Govt. of India’s scheme.
The Lt. Governor also mentioned that to add to tourist attraction facilities, a laser show will commence in the isles soon while the Botanical Garden will be an attraction for people of all age groups. “While the Sound & Light Show at the Ross Island is being greatly appreciated by the visitors, the show at the Cellular Jail needs to be upgraded,” opined the Lt. Governor adding that tourism projects worth Rs 100 Crore have been sent to the Tourism Ministry.
Acknowledging the suggestion of the Member of Parliament, the Lt. Governor asked the Chief Secretary to look into the possibilities of having a Tourism Advisory Committee in the Isles.
Expressing his concern for the future of the Islands, the Lt Governor also made it clear that no unlawful land transactions will be allowed in the Isles. However, Land rules should be kept simple, he said.
Encouraging the private players to play a pivotal role in tourism development of the Islands, the Lt. Governor also invited them to venture into seaplane, cruise ship etc. “Private players and local businessmen must collaborate to bring about the desired development in the tourism of Isles”, the Lt Governor added.
Welcoming the suggestion of the Member of Parliament, the Lt. Governor asked ANIIDCO to consider opening cold storages at different places in the Islands.
Asking everyone to bring in a positive change in their attitude for faster and smoother progress of the Islands, the Lt. Governor exhorted upon the entire ‘Team Andaman’ to move faster to achieve all-round development.
While speaking on the topic ‘Jobs and opportunities for the Youth of A&N Islands – Tourism and skill development’, the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray expressed his happiness for organizing a need based workshop for developing tourism in N&M Andaman, Little Andaman and Great Nicobar involving the PRIs and stakeholders of these areas. Mentioning that out of the 7 species of turtles in the World, five are found in N & M Andaman and Great Nicobar during turtle nesting season, the MP said suggesting that by giving proper publicity to the vent, tourists can be attracted to see the turtle nesting. Creek tourism is another area which can be popularized like the Kerala backwater Tourism, he said, urging for forming Tourism Advisory Committee by incorporating members from the PRIs so that they are able to present their needs for the development of tourism in their respective Panchayats which, he said, will not only create employment opportunities for youth but also contribute towards economic development of these Islands. The MP also underlined the need for encouraging the use of furniture created by cane and bamboo in offices, Govt accommodations etc. so that the local artisans also get jobs under skill development. Shri Ray further urged the Administration to entrust work to ANIIDCO to develop 3 cold storages, one each in South Andaman, N & M Andaman and in Nicobar District to keep six months’ buffer stock of essential items. Shri Ray also wanted that under land use, 30 to 40 percent ratio of the land must be fixed for green cover and rest can be used for tourism infrastructure creation by the land owner. He also suggested for creating a crocodile park to shift all the crocodiles so that beaches become safe for the islanders and the visiting tourists alike. Creation of dolphinarium and starting elephant football will be another tourist attraction, the MP said. The other areas where the MP brought the attention of the Administration include development of sewerage system in Neil And Havelock, widening of roads in Havelock, raising of dragon fruit by Agriculture department, distribution of Shrimp napoli to islanders for its rearing, boat connectivity between Shoal bay and Havelock, developing Mini Airport in Kamorta & Little Andaman Island and including PRIs in Land Allotment and Land Use Committees.
In her address on the occasion, the Adhyaksha ZP South Andaman, Smt. Minati Biswas said while developing tourism the valued Indian culture should not be lost sight off. She urged for opening Mahua Dera for tourism purpose. She also expressed her concern over the increasing liquor menace in A&N Islands.
In her address on the occasion, the Adhyaksha ZP N&M Andaman, Smt. Prabhawati Biswas advocated for developing Tourism by striking a balance between environment and development. Non availability of low cost accommodation facilities starting from Baratang to Diglipur and proper medical facilities are the reasons among others, hampering the inflow of tourists in N&M Andaman area, she opined.
In his address, on the topic ‘Minimum Govt; maximum governance-Prime Minister’s mantar to ensure effective and efficient Administration’, the BJP President, Shri Vishal Jolly thanked the ACCI for organizing the workshop and giving an opportunity to all the stakeholders to think clearly about taking tourism beyond Port Blair, Neil and Havelock. There is immense scope of packaged tourism here and tourism must be developed keeping intact the rich Indian culture existing in isles. He stressed that Tourism infrastructure and better connectivity will have to be developed so that tourist can visit maximum number of places by consuming lesser travel time. Once the two bridges in ATR route and airstrips in Diglipur and Campbell Bay are developed, it will surely reduce the travel time in these areas, he said. Referring that the local entrepreneurs have contributed a lot in the development of Tourism in Havelock, Shri Jolly advocated that local entrepreneurs must be encouraged for investments in tourism projects in different islands along with the mainland parties. Yatch Marina concept must be brought back and it should be developed by selecting a new area. Yatch tourism should be promoted by simplifying the procedures of giving permissions; Shri Jolly said adding that a single window system should be put in place to give permissions for the boat operators. An entrepreneur friendly atmosphere should be developed for the business people who wish to invest in isles and he should feel free to work in Andamans, Shri Jolly added. He also pointed out some of the hurdles coming in the way of tourism development. Relaxation in CRZ norms, clear cut marking of the buffer zone area and simplifying maritime laws will surely help in tourism promotion in isles, he said. Shri Jolly also underlined the need for introducing adventure sports such as wave surfing, parasailing, and bungee jumping etc.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration, Shri Anand Prakash said better connectivity and infrastructure facility is essential for development of tourism in outer islands. Adequate amount of funds and review of outdated laws are equally important towards tourism promotion, he added. He said airports are being expanded in Campbell Bay and Shibpur in Diglipur which will help in providing better air connectivity to these areas. The Administration is taking loan from NABARD for creating assets and developing infrastructure in rural areas, he added.
Presenting summary of the workshop, the Secretary (Tourism), Smt. Ankita Mishra Bundela said that the aim of the workshop was to expand tourism activities beyond Port Blair, Neil and Havelock and get a first hand feedback from PRIs and the stakeholders from N&M Andaman, Little Andaman and Great Nicobar as how Tourism can be promoted in these areas. She said that there was a universal consensus on encouraging local entrepreneurs while developing tourism in isles. The recommendations can be summed up under four ‘A’s i.e access, accommodation, amenities and new activities in these three places, she added.
Shri Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Deputy Commissioner, South Andamans made a presentations on encouraging private investment in Andaman & Nicobar Islands – Issues pertaining to land regulations and also on ‘developing North & Middle Andaman as a preferred tourist destination – way forward’.
The Deputy Commissioner, Car Nicobar Smt. Neha Bensal presented her views about developing Great Nicobar as a preferred tourist destinations and the way forward.
Dr. P. Viswakannan, Director (Tourism) gave an overview of Tourism in A&N Islands.
Shri Dipankar Mistry, Zilla Parishad Member, Diglipur, Shri Satish Singh, Pradhan, Rangat, Shri Sanjay Singh, Ex-Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, Campbell Bay and Shri Asa Manja Haldar, Pradhan, R.K. Pur, Little Andaman spoke about development initiatives and infrastructure requirements for sustainable tourism in their respective areas.
The Ex- Presidnet ACCI, Mohd. Jadwet spoke on the growth of tourism in the Islands – benefits, bottlenecks and opportunities.
Capt. Rajinder Kumar, Director of Shipping Services made a presentation on enhancing sea connectivity in North & Middle, Little Andaman and Great Nicobar and reforming the existing regulations to promote investments in shipping sector.
The Ex. President ACCI Shri G. Bhasker presented welcome address while the workshop concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the President, ACCI Shri Girish Arora.
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