Lucknow, 04 May (HS) : The Uttar Pradesh Government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has embarked on a drive to get global recognition for the cultural and religious heritage sites located in backward districts of the state. The Government is currently developing various such sites with great tourism potential in Shravasti, Balrampur, Devipatan and Gonda districts of UP.
According to a spokesperson of the state government people were hardly aware of the significance of these heritage sites due to the neglect by the previous governments. Now the Government of the day is developing these sites as tourist spots while promoting traditional handicrafts and creating avenues for employment generation for the local youth.
Under the guidance of the chief minister, top government officials have accelerated efforts to implement tourism development schemes across the state, he said. The Yogi Government has prepared unique, attractive packages for tourists in the last four years to boost state tourism. Both tourism and employment opportunities in this sector are growing, thanks to the efforts of the Yogi Government. Local people have started getting jobs of guides while craftspersons are getting more work and sale of local things and handicrafts have picked up, the spokesperson added.
He said that the Yogi Government is developing tourism facilities in Shravasti, Kapilavastu and Kushinagar and Ramayana sections of the Buddhist circuit in Chitrakoot and Shringverpur. Earlier, the Government held a grand celebration of Uttar Pradesh Day on January 24 this year, honouring dignitaries who had performed remarkably in various fields . The previous governments had remained oblivious of their contributions. Water sports was launched at Ramgadhatal of Gorakhpur in the Yogi regime itself. The flow of tourists to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve has also increased.
Yogi Govt’s initiative applauded globally
The spokesperson said that the Yogi Government’s unique initiative to promote lesser known tourist destinations in the last four years has received acclaim worldwide. The successful holding of Prayagraj Kumbh 2019 was even acknowledged by UNESCO while the Bhoomi Pujan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya became a historic event.
Ayodhya Deepotsav sets world record for 2nd year in a row
He said that the Yogi Government has been promoting pilgrimage sites located within the state of UP through a variety of events for the past four years. One such event ‘Ayodhya Deepotsav’ has got entry into the Guinness Book of World Records for the second year in a row this year. The celebrations of Deepotsav in Ayodhya, Krishnotsav in Mathura, Rangotsav in Barsana as well as Shivratri and Dev Deepavali in Varanasi have established the richness of Indian cultural heritage on the global stage.
Govt forms Pilgrimage Area Development Council
According to him the UP Government has formed Pilgrimage Area Development Council to promote religious tourism in different districts. The establishment of the Brij Tirtha Kshetra Vikas Parishad, Naimisharanya Teerth Kshetra Vikas Parishad, Vindhya Teerth Kshetra Vikas Parishad, Shukradham Teerth Vikas Parishad, Chitrakoot Teerth Kshetra Vikas Parishad and Devipatan Teerth Vikas Parishad bear testimony to the state govt’s efforts to promote pilgriamge spots.
Govt accelerates development of Shaktipeeth & spiritual circuits
He further said that as part of the Yogi government’s strategy to promote tourism, the Shaktipeeth and spiritual circuit are being developed on war footing. The development of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor is also included in this. Meanwhile, Mahabharata sit in ines under the Mahabharata Circuit are also being developed. Tourism facilities in Agra and Fatehpur Sikri under Jain and Sufi circuits have also improved considerable in the last four years.
