More than 3 crore domestic tourists visited Assam since 2021: CM Sarma

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Guwahati, March 12 (IANS) Assam has witnessed a significant boost in tourism in recent years, with over 3 crore domestic tourists visiting the state in the last four years, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday.

He said that the surge in visitors reflects Assam’s growing appeal as a prime travel destination in India.

Sarma highlighted that the state’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and improved infrastructure have played key roles in attracting tourists.

“Assam has become a favourite tourism destination, drawing visitors from across the country,” he said.

In addition to domestic tourists, Sarma noted that more than 60,000 foreign visitors have explored Assam since 2021.

The rising influx of international travelers further underscores the state’s expanding global footprint in the tourism sector.

The Chief Minister credited several government initiatives aimed at enhancing connectivity, preserving cultural landmarks, and promoting ecotourism for this growth.

With its lush landscapes, wildlife reserves like Kaziranga National Park, and vibrant festivals, Assam is steadily gaining recognition as a top-tier travel destination in India.

Sarma earlier asserted that the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) has witnessed a huge surge in the number of tourists after Prime Minister Narendara Modi’s visit to the UNESCO world heritage site last year.

PM Modi is the first prime minister of the country who has spent a night at the Kaziranga National Park. He visited there in the month of March before commencement of the Lok Sabha polls.

The Prime Minister took an elephant and jeep safari in the park. He also interacted with forest staff and gave them a series of suggestions to increase the tourist footfall.

The CM said: “In recent times, Assam has seen a record increase in tourist footfall, especially in Kaziranga post Prime Minister Modi’s overnight stay at the World Heritage Site.”

The Assam government signed an MoU recently to establish a luxury hotel in Kaziranga.

Sarma claimed that the initiative was taken to increase the tourist inflow in the UNESCO world heritage site.

–IANS

tdr/pgh

Related Posts

US Embassy grants visa to comatose Indian student’s family

Washington, Feb 28 (IANS) The US Embassy on Friday granted a visa to the family of an Indian student who suffered critical injuries in a road accident in Washington and has been comatose since then.

The student identified as Nilam Shinde, 35, a post-graduate student at California State University, suffered fractures in both arms and both legs after a car hit her from behind on February 14.

She required brain surgery and has been comatose since then.

Shinde is still in a critical condition, but her health has shown slight improvements, her family said.

The family, hailing from Maharashtra’s Satara district, which had lost hope of seeing Shinde after several attempts to get a visa failed, will be taking the next flight to the country.

The family members, who will be going to visit the comatose patient include Shinde’s father, cousin brother, and uncle.

Talking to NDTV, Shinde’s cousin Gaurav said that the visa interview process was very smooth and thanked the media and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule.

He also shared that they will seek a loan to visit the US.

He also urged the Centre to change the visa process. “No other family should experience what we went through. These procedures should be changed for emergencies,” he said.

It may be mentioned that after learning about the accident, the family applied for a US visa but got the interview slot for next year.

The family then made fervent appeals to political leaders and the media.

NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule took up the issue after which the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) intervened leading to an expedited US visa appointment interview slot for the family.

The driver of the car which hit Nilam has been arrested. The accused, Lawrence Gallow (58), was arrested five days on February 19.

–IANS

svn

Sri Lankan navy arrests 14 TN fishermen, seizes mechanised boat

Chennai, Feb 9 (IANS) The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 14 fishermen from Tamil Nadu in the early hours of Sunday. Their mechanised boat was also seized by the Sri Lankan authorities.

The fishermen had set out to sea from Rameswaram on Saturday when they were detained for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). They were taken to Jaffna for questioning.

This incident follows a series of similar arrests in recent weeks. On February 3, 10 fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the IMBL.

Tamil Nadu coastal police officials confirmed the latest detentions and the seizure of the fishermen’s boat.

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested several Tamil Nadu fishermen in recent weeks. For instance on January 26, the Navy arrested 34 fishermen from Rameswaram and Thangachimadam, seizing three fishing boats. The detained fishermen were presented before the Killinochchi Court, which remanded them in custody.

In another incident on January 28, 13 fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested, and their mechanised boat was confiscated. Fishermen’s associations have strongly condemned these repeated arrests, calling them a serious threat to their livelihood.

In response to the ongoing detentions, Tamil Nadu fishermen staged large-scale protests in Rameswaram continuously with fishermen and their families participating in large numbers, demanding immediate intervention from the central government.

Antony John, a fishermen’s association leader from Rameswaram, expressed deep concern over the escalating arrests. “The Sri Lankan Navy is arresting our fishermen regularly and has even fired at our men, injuring two of them. This has to stop.”

He further lamented that fishing in the Palk Bay is no longer safe, as fishermen are not only losing their livelihoods but also their boats and fishing equipment to Sri Lankan authorities.

Fishermen’s leaders have urged the Indian government to take swift diplomatic action to secure the immediate release of detained fishermen from Sri Lankan prisons. They have demanded immediate release of all detained fishermen and the retrieval of impounded fishing boats. A bilateral agreement with Sri Lanka to permanently resolve the ongoing issue was also mooted by the fishermen leaders.

Fishermen’s associations across Tamil Nadu have also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting urgent intervention to prevent further mid-sea arrests and to protect the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had earlier written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging diplomatic intervention to secure the release of the detained fishermen.

In his letter, Stalin highlighted the economic distress caused by repeated arrests and boat seizures. “The recurring arrests and boat seizures have severely impacted the livelihoods of our fishermen. Swift diplomatic intervention is essential to safeguard their rights,” he stated. Since June 16, 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy has detained 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized 58 fishing boats. These frequent arrests have sparked widespread protests, with fishermen accusing both the Union and State governments of failing to provide a lasting solution.

Former Union Minister and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President Anbumani Ramadoss has urged the Indian government to take strong measures against Sri Lanka’s actions. He emphasised the need to resolve maritime boundary disputes to ensure that Tamil Nadu fishermen can pursue their traditional livelihood without fear or uncertainty.

With more protests planned across coastal districts, fishermen’s associations continue to demand an immediate and lasting resolution through diplomatic efforts.

–IANS

aal/uk

Metro rails leading shift towards greener future: Manohar Lal

New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) Energy efficiency and clean power are the need of the hour and transitioning from thermal to renewable energy, utilising solar rooftops, and implementing regenerative braking in Metros exemplify the shift towards a greener future, said Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and Power Manohar Lal on Tuesday.

While participating in the 5th International Conference on Green Metro Systems – The Future of Urban Mobility in New Delhi, Manohar Lal inaugurated India’s first vertical bi-facial solar plant installation on the Delhi Metro Viaduct at Okhla Vihar Metro station and 1MW rooftop solar power plant installed at Khyber Pass depot.

The bi-facial panels are designed to capture sunlight from both sides. The Delhi Metro’s bi-facial solar plant will take advantage of its elevated structure for solar energy generation. This is an innovative step in making Metro rail operations more sustainable and contributes to renewable energy goals.

The Minister said, “Technological advancements, like vertical solar panels and energy-efficient LED systems, pave the way for sustainable urban living. Additionally, responsible consumption — whether in air-conditioning usage or minimising wastage — can have a profound impact on energy conservation.”

He said, “Swachh Bharat Mission was once mocked at but has transformed India’s landscape, proving that national efforts towards cleanliness and sustainability yield global recognition.”

He said pollution reduction, water conservation, and eco-friendly mobility are not just governmental responsibilities but collective duties. “The path forward is clear: Balance progress with environmental responsibility, ensuring a cleaner, healthier world for future generations,” he said.

The conference was organised by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) under the banner of i-Metro and in close association and partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

An official said Indian Metro rail corporations are contributing to the green building movement by offering energy-efficient, low-emission public transportation thereby reducing urban pollution and traffic congestion.

Many Metro stations, throughout India, are designed with energy-efficient technologies and use solar power systems which help reduce energy consumption, he said.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is a pioneer in integrating solar power which helps meet a significant portion of its needs.

Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, and Pune, Metro rail have also received IGBC Certification for their commitment to sustainable designs and the use of green material to further minimise their environmental impact, he said.

–IANS

rch/uk