logo
Minister urges MLAs to submit proposals to develop tourist sites

Minister urges MLAs to submit proposals to develop tourist sites

Time of India16-07-2025
Lucknow: Tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh on Wednesday urged MLAs to submit proposals for the development of ancient, religious, and natural tourism sites from their respective regions, so that Uttar Pradesh can continue to progress as a leading tourism hub.
Chairing the meeting of the Tourism Advisory Committee for 2024–25, he said, "This would help enrich the tourism landscape of the state."
The legislators expressed appreciation for the visible tourism initiatives across the state and noted these as significant achievements of the department. They emphasised that the development of infrastructure and the enhancement of religious, historical, and cultural sites have significantly boosted religious and spiritual tourism.
This growth, they said, has led to improved earnings for local businesses and increased employment opportunities for local residents.
They also acknowledged that Maha Kumbh 2025, the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, and the rising number of pilgrims at Kashi Vishwanath have elevated Uttar Pradesh's stature on the global spiritual tourism map. The members recommended a focused approach to developing naturopathy-based wellness centres. Additionally, suggestions were made to enhance the vision of candidates selected under the CM Fellowship Programme, conduct research on unexplored religious sites, involve local communities, and promote storytelling through local narrators.
The committee also discussed strategies to connect international visitors coming to India for nature and medical tourism with wellness centres in the state.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Footfall at Mirzapur's Maa Vindhyavasini Temple may cross 1cr mark in 2025'
‘Footfall at Mirzapur's Maa Vindhyavasini Temple may cross 1cr mark in 2025'

Time of India

time3 days ago

  • Time of India

‘Footfall at Mirzapur's Maa Vindhyavasini Temple may cross 1cr mark in 2025'

1 2 Lucknow: Footfall at Mirzapur's famed Maa Vindhyavasini Temple is likely to cross the 1 crore mark in 2025, shows data from the department of tourism. Data shows that over 64 lakh pilgrims have visited the temple in the first six months of 2025, speaking for a monthly average of over 10 lakh. This is significantly higher than the average monthly footfall of 6.5 lakh recorded in 2024, with the total being 78 lakh. "Though counting is still underway, numbers are expected to touch 10 lakh in July too. And if this trend continues, the footfall may cross 1 crore in 2025," said Jaiveer Singh, tourism minister. Officials said with the temple at the core, other places in Mirzapur are also benefitting from the surge. Take the example of the Ashta Bhuja Temple, which forms an important part of the Vindhyavasini Tribhuja pilgrimage. More than 38 lakh pilgrims who visited Vindhyavasini also visited the Ashta Bhuja Temple. In 2024, the total number of pilgrims recorded at this site was 55 lakh. Indications are that the neighbouring districts like Sonbhadra and Chandauli are also on the list of beneficiaries. "In Sonbhadra, the footfall in Shiv Dwar, which was previously largely popular with kanwariyas, has seen an unprecedented hike in the number of visitors," said a senior officer, adding that the numbers would be disclosed after the Hindu month of Shrawan concludes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Even Beautiful Women Have Their 'Oops' Moments Read More Undo Sitamarhi in Bhadoi is yet another example. Principal secretary, tourism and culture, Mukesh Meshram said: "Gone are the days when Mirzapur recorded seasonal tourism surge because the beauty of the rain-fed waterfalls peaked at that time. It is heartening to see people and pilgrims visiting the place all through the year." Director Eco Tourism, Uttar Pradesh Prakhar Mishra, said the surge was a result of concerted efforts made over the past few years. "While on one hand the good sites were flagged and projected, efforts are made to train key stakeholders to promote them in an organised way. The local community was also engaged, and local art and cuisine were integrated to ensure that tourism development was inclusive and employment-generating. As a result, the region is now full of options in village and farm tourism. Mirzapur and adjoining areas also offer options to adventure seekers," he said. Mishra noted that with the inclusion of Salkhan Fossil Park in Unesco's tentative list of world heritage sites will further bolster the efforts and footfall.

‘Footfall at Mirzapur's Maa Vindhyasini Temple may cross 1cr mark in 2025'
‘Footfall at Mirzapur's Maa Vindhyasini Temple may cross 1cr mark in 2025'

Time of India

time3 days ago

  • Time of India

‘Footfall at Mirzapur's Maa Vindhyasini Temple may cross 1cr mark in 2025'

Lucknow: Footfall at Mirzapur's famed Maa Vindhyasini Temple is likely to cross the 1 crore mark in 2025, shows data from the department of tourism. Data shows that over 64 lakh pilgrims have visited the temple in the first six months of 2025, speaking for a monthly average of over 10 lakh. This is significantly higher than the average monthly footfall of 6.5 lakh recorded in 2024, with the total being 78 lakh. "Though counting is still underway, numbers are expected to touch 10 lakh in July too. And if this trend continues, the footfall may cross 1 crore in 2025," said Jaiveer Singh, tourism minister. Officials said with the temple at the core, other places in Mirzapur are also benefitting from the surge. Take the example of the Ashta Bhuja Temple, which forms an important part of the Vindhyavasini Tribhuja pilgrimage. More than 38 lakh pilgrims who visited Vindhyavasini also visited the Ashta Bhuja Temple. In 2024, the total number of pilgrims recorded at this site was 55 lakh. Indications are that the neighbouring districts like Sonbhadra and Chandauli are also on the list of beneficiaries. "In Sonbhadra, the footfall in Shiv Dwar, which was previously largely popular with kanwariyas, has seen an unprecedented hike in the number of visitors," said a senior officer, adding that the numbers would be disclosed after the Hindu month of Shrawan concludes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Seniors Are Snapping Up This TV Box, We Explain! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Sitamarhi in Bhadoi is yet another example. Principal secretary, tourism and culture, Mukesh Meshram said: "Gone are the days when Mirzapur recorded seasonal tourism surge because the beauty of the rain-fed waterfalls peaked at that time. It is heartening to see people and pilgrims visiting the place all through the year." Director Eco Tourism, Uttar Pradesh Prakhar Mishra, said the surge was a result of concerted efforts made over the past few years. "While on one hand the good sites were flagged and projected, efforts are made to train key stakeholders to promote them in an organised way. The local community was also engaged, and local art and cuisine were integrated to ensure that tourism development was inclusive and employment-generating. As a result, the region is now full of options in village and farm tourism. Mirzapur and adjoining areas also offer options to adventure seekers," he said. Mishra noted that with the inclusion of Salkhan Fossil Park in Unesco's tentative list of world heritage sites will further bolster the efforts and footfall.

UP gears up for tourism overhaul: Services, jobs, heritage in focus
UP gears up for tourism overhaul: Services, jobs, heritage in focus

Hindustan Times

time23-07-2025

  • Hindustan Times

UP gears up for tourism overhaul: Services, jobs, heritage in focus

LUCKNOW The UP tourism department on Wednesday announced a series of public-focused reforms aimed at boosting tourism, creating local employment and preserving cultural heritage, during a high-level departmental review meeting held at Paryatan Bhawan here. Now, tourist places would be better maintained and have more local homestay options with enriched cultural experiences. (Pic for representation) At the heart of the new directives is the urgent push to fill long-pending vacancies across the tourism and culture department, especially at the district level, which has impacted service delivery to citizens and tourists alike. Officials were instructed to fill pending vacancies immediately — through outsourcing if necessary — to ensure smoother operations in local tourism offices. 'Citizens of UP will soon feel a shift towards a more accessible, community-centred and accountable tourism ecosystem. As the state readies to revise its policies and rejuvenate its institutions, public benefit remains the central theme — from more jobs and better services to a stronger connection with UP's diverse cultural identity,' said minister of tourism and culture Jaiveer Singh during the meeting. He emphasized that the state's 2022 tourism policy will be reframed, drawing best practices from other Indian states, to reflect current needs and public expectations. Now, tourist places would be better maintained and have more local homestay options with enriched cultural experiences. Officials were warned against delays or negligence in implementing public projects. Local jobs, local culture Recognising the untapped potential of rural and tribal regions, officials agreed that homestays be introduced in villages showcasing the unique Tharu tribe culture. This initiative aims to provide employment and income for rural families, while giving tourists an authentic cultural experience. The officials stressed over the importance of developing eco-tourism, calling for a long-term plan to create sustainable destinations that support local ecosystems and economies. The Ganga Gram initiative, which focuses on villages along the sacred river, will be fast-tracked, with all relevant data to be submitted to headquarters promptly. Bringing the world to UP On the international front, officials proposed a strategic outreach campaign to attract foreign tourists, especially from Buddhist countries. The ministry will seek coordination with Indian embassies abroad and request support from the ministry of external affairs to organize roadshows and cultural exchange programmes, building UP's image as a spiritual and cultural hub. Protecting heritage, reviving assets To strengthen historical awareness and educational tourism, officials agreed for installation of informative plaques at heritage sites and historical documentation of each location. The progress on various infrastructure projects was also reviewed, including guest houses and tourism units and emphasized turning loss-making properties into viable assets through public-private partnerships (PPP), where necessary. Illegal encroachments on departmental lands will be removed in coordination with local administrations, and those spaces will be utilized for public-benefit projects, they added. Culture dept under scanner The culture department came under close scrutiny, as the minister expressed dissatisfaction over slow implementation of previous directives. He reviewed recruitment processes, procurement of statues and performance of cultural academies and institutions. The minister reiterated the government's commitment to preserving and promoting the state's rich artistic legacy while ensuring better governance and transparency. Two new MoUs were also signed during the meeting, indicating ongoing collaborations and future partnerships. The meeting was attended by principal secretary Mukesh Kumar Meshram, special secretary Isha Priya (tourism), special secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh (culture), among others.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store