KOCHI: Lakshadweep is gearing up to open its gates for tourism activities. For the authorities have decided to invite investors to bolster the sector in the islands. However, the tourism sector will be promoted by protecting the ecology of the islands and its inhabitants.
Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal A B on Wednesday told reporters in Kochi numerous tourism projects for the union territory were under consideration.
“Until recently, Lakshadweep did not have a tourism policy as the authorities never considered the sector’s revenue generation potential. The Justice Raveendran Committee filed a report based on which a tourism policy was rolled out. Recently, we issued tourism guidelines on the basis of the policy. Once monsoon season ends, we will come up with the notification, inviting investments in the tourism projects,” Faizal said.
Ten islands out of 12 in Lakshadweep will be developed into tourism destinations. They are Minicoy, Kadmat, Agatti, Chetlat, Bitra, Bangaram, Suheli, Kalpeni, Thinakarra and Cheriyan. Of them, five are inhabited. The ecology of the islands will be given prime importance.
“We will adopt a holistic approach for tourism promotion in Lakshadweep. The islands are ecologically fragile and tourism will be promoted with certain guidelines. There are limitations like the availability of potable water, electricity and waste treatment. Companies looking to invest in the tourism sector should be able to self-generate the requirements,” said Faizal.
The Centre had come up with an ambitious project for the development of Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. As part of it, an Island Development Agency was constituted last year.
The second phase of the comprehensive insurance scheme will be rolled out for the residents of Lakshadweep soon. At present, cashless insurance cards are provided to 30 per cent of the islanders. By the end of this year, all the residents will be given insurance cards which also provide transportation expenses of the patient to the mainland for treatment purpose.